What is fetal anemia?

Fetal anemia means a baby in the womb does not have enough red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen to the baby's organs. If there are too few, the baby might not get enough oxygen, which can affect growth and heart health.

Why does fetal anemia occur?

There are many reasons why fetal anemia can develop. These causes are mainly divided into two groups:

1. Immune (alloimmunisation-related) causes: This happens when the mother’s immune system produces antibodies against the baby’s red blood cells. These antibodies cross the placenta and destroy the baby’s red blood cells.
2. Non-immune causes: These do not involve antibodies and may include:

Infections during pregnancy (such as Parvovirus B19)
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (in identical twins sharing one placenta)
Certain heart conditions in the fetus
Placental tumors (like chorioangioma)
Other rare fetal or placental conditions

How is fetal anemia diagnosed?

Fetal anemia is usually suspected during a Doppler ultrasound test.

A special Doppler scan checks the speed of blood flow in a vessel in the baby’s brain called the middle cerebral artery (MCA).

When a baby is anemic, the blood becomes thinner and flows faster than normal.
If the blood flow speed is higher than expected for the baby’s age, doctors may suspect fetal anemia.

To confirm the diagnosis, doctors perform a test called cordocentesis. In this procedure, a small blood sample is taken directly from the baby’s umbilical cord under ultrasound guidance and tested for anemia.

Should fetal anemia be checked in every pregnancy?

Routine screening for fetal anemia is not required in all pregnancies.

Doctors usually check for fetal anemia in high-risk pregnancies, such as:

When the mother has antibodies against fetal blood (positive antibody screen)
Rh incompatibility between mother and baby
Maternal infections like Parvovirus B19
Twins sharing the same placenta
Placental tumors
If the ultrasound shows signs of fetal heart failure or fluid buildup (hydrops)

In these situations, regular MCA Doppler scans are done to monitor the baby.

What happens if fetal anemia is confirmed?

If Doppler findings strongly suggest fetal anemia, the doctor will recommend cordocentesis to confirm it.

If the baby has moderate to severe anemia, treatment is needed. The main treatment is:

Intrauterine fetal blood transfusion

Special O-negative blood is given directly to the baby through the umbilical vein
The procedure is done under continuous ultrasound guidance
This replaces the baby’s missing red blood cells and improves oxygen supply

Depending on the cause and severity, multiple transfusions may be required during pregnancy to save the baby’s life.

Can fetal anemia happen again in future pregnancies?

Fetal anemia caused by alloimmunisation can happen again in future pregnancies. These pregnancies need careful monitoring with Doppler scans.
Non-immune fetal anemia usually does not come back, but the risk depends on what caused it the first time.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Fetal Anemia treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Fetal Anemia treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced fetal medicine specialists and obstetricians, known as some of the best doctors for high-risk pregnancy care. We provide accurate diagnosis with advanced ultrasound and Doppler studies, personalized treatment planning, and specialized interventions such as intrauterine transfusion when required. Our fetal medicine team has decades of experience in successfully treating Fetal Anemia in Lucknow, India.