Massive feto-maternal hemorrhage as a cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity.

11 cases of massive feto-maternal hemorrhage (FMH) detected at the Leuven Blood Transfusion Center are described. Based on these case reports, a review is given of the various theoretical and practical problems related to this complication, e.g. the relative frequency of perinatal mortality and morbidity due to massive FMH, the causes and pathogenesis, the symptoms and diagnosis, the clinical varieties, and the pathophysiology as seen in the fetus and newborn. Finally, the indications for looking for large FMHs are described, and the therapeutic implications when this complication is discovered.