08
Nov
Safer fetal blood sampling tests for RH disease, parvovirus
Fetal blood sampling and fetal transfusions, which are usually done if there is fetal anemia or another reason that a baby’s blood needs to be tested, can be a tricky procedure.
Dr. Scott MacGregor, selected as a Chicago Top Doctor by TopTierMD as a top rated obstetrician in Chicago, Director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at The Centers for Maternal and Fetal Health of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, has done more of these procedures than anyone in the Chicago area and was selected as one of the best in this field by TopTierMD.
“The most common reason for this procedure is for RH disease," Dr. MacGregor said. "The mothers are RH negative, the babies are RH positive, and the mother has antibodies against the baby’s blood, which make the baby anemic. Years ago the babies would die from this but with the fetal ability to transfuse the baby, we can do a procedure where we introduce a needle into the umbilical chord to give the baby blood.”
This procedure may have to be repeated many times throughout the pregnancy so the baby can survive and thrive after delivery.
“There’s a congenial infection called parvovirus that can also lead to anemia and the other reason we would do this,” Dr. MacGregor said.
In 1987, Dr. MacGregor was the first person in the Chicago area to perform this procedure and he has done more than 100 over the course of his career.
Dr. MacGregor's interest in fetal transfusions began when he was just starting out as a doctor.
“It really started during my fellowship, It was a new technology and very interesting," Dr. MacGregor said. "Before, they would put a needle into the baby’s abdomen and give the baby blood that way, but a physician in France found in the mid 1980's that you could go into the umbilical cord. If I wanted to give you blood because you were anemic, it would be better to give it directly into your circulation. By giving blood to a baby in circulation, the sickest babies could be saved.”
Mortality rate was very high when babies were given blood through the abdomen, but the new procedure has made it much safer. According to the AMA, there is only a 1 in 100 risk of miscarriage with this new procedure.
Dr. Scott MacGregor, MD, was selected by TopTierMD as a Chicago Top Doctor and is considered one of the best obstetricians in Chicago. He specializes in treatment of complicated pregnancies, genetic screening and in vitro transfusions.
