Fetomaternal hemorrhage caused by an intraplacental choriocarcinoma

Abstract

A male infant was born at 41 weeks' gestation to a 34-year-old primiparous woman after an uneventful pregnancy. Physical examination showed extreme paleness. Fetal hemoglobin was 7.6g/dl and Kleihauher exam revealed fetomaternal hemorrhage. Pathology revealed in situ intraplacental choriocarcinoma. Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin level was undetectable 1 month after the delivery both in woman and in newborn. We suggest that a pathological examination of the placenta should be performed in any case of fetomaternal hemorrhage in order to avoid misdiagnosis of intraplacental choriocarcinoma. (c) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.