Foetal Erythrocytes in the Maternal Circulation

Abstract

Specimens of venous blood were collected within 24 hours of delivery from 165 women in whom pregnancy and delivery were normal, and examined for the presence of foetal erythrocytes. Foetal cells were found in 50% of cases. Parity, duration of labour, condition of the placenta and its method of expulsion, and the state of the infant at birth, as judged by the Apgar method of assessment, were found to have no influence on transplacental leakage. Large placentae appear to be positively correlated with escape of foetal cells into the maternal circulation. Foetal cells were found when there was ABO incompatibility between mother and foetus, but less frequently than when there was ABO compatibility. The cause of transplacental leakage of foetal cells remains unknown. © 1963, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.