Congenital anemia: a diagnostic algorithm

Abstract

Congenital anemia is one of the major interdisciplinary problems of modern medicine. The aim of this publication is to outline the current concepts of early diagnosis of congenital anemia for their introduction in obstetric care practices. As a result, it will be possible to improve the disease prognosis and, in general, to reduce perinatal losses. Congenital anemias include those developed in the ante- and/or intranatal period. The main causes of congenital anemia comprise fetal blood loss, severe forms of intrauterine infections and hemolytic disease of the fetus. It is specified that the most common cause of congenital anemia is fetal blood loss. Prenatal fetal blood loss can be categorized as transplacental (fetal-maternal), intraplacental, retroplacental, fetal-fetal (in case of multifetal monochorionic pregnancy) and iatrogenic (rare complications of the invasive methods of patient examination and treatment). Fetal blood loss during delivery may be caused by various damages and/or disorders of the umbilical cord (rupture, hematoma) and/or the placenta (placental presentation or abruption, chorioangioma, etc.), as well as hemorrhages and bleedings (intracranial, into internal organs, etc.) of the fetus in case of abnormal labor and/or severe hypoxia. The article highlights the current verification criteria of congenital anemia and an algorithm of its diagnosis KEYWORDS: anemia, immune hydrops fetalis, intrauterine infections, congenital anemia, complete blood count, fetal blood loss, non-immune hydrops fetalis, newborn infant, posthemorrhagic anemia. FOR CITATION: Zaplatnikov A.L., Podzolkova M.N., Ponimanskaya M.A. et al. Congenital anemia: a diagnostic algorithm. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2022;5(4):358–365 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2022-5-4-358-365.