High rate of GB virus type C/HGV transmission from mother to infant: possible implications for the prevalence of infection in blood donors.

Background: Because GB virus type C(GBV-C)/HGV (GBV-C/HGV) is blood-borne and sexually transmitted, persons at risk of infection with such viruses have a high prevalence of GBV-C/HGV markers. However, adults with no apparent risk factors, such as blood donors, frequently are positive for GBV-C/HGV markers. Mother-to-infant transmission could explain this high prevalence, but it has been studied only through small series of GBV-C/HGV-infected mothers co-infected with HCV or HIV.

[Retrospective study of exchange transfusion for newborn infants with reconstituted blood. Review of 60 exchanges].

Purpose: The necessity of saving blood products has established the practice of exchange transfusion (ET) with reconstituted blood in newborns. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the indications and the practice of this technique at the Perinatal Hemobiology Centre (Paris, France).

Methods: The records of intervention allowed us to review the etiologic categories for neonates having undergone exchange transfusion with reconstituted blood, the dosages used (bilirubin, hemoglobin), and the other main parameters of ET.

[The effect of human albumin in association with intensive phototherapy in the management of neonatal jaundice].

Background: The effectiveness of phototherapy in lowering serum bilirubin levels in neonates varies inversely with the rate and degree of hemolysis. Combining this therapy with albumin perfusion could enhance its effectiveness. This study examines total, unconjugated and unbound fractions of bilirubin in infants treated by phototherapy alone or by phototherapy plus albumin.

[Detection during pregnancy of massive fetomaternal transfusion. A life saved by adherence to a protocol].

A case of massive feto-maternal haemorrhage which was discovered by chance in the 34th week of pregnancy is described in detail. This case is characterised by: total absence of clinical, electrical and echographic abnormalities, a part from the fetus being very anaemic; the saving of the very anaemic newborn baby because of the performance of caesarean section; although the pregnant woman was Rh negative, giving her large doses of IgG and anti-D prophylactically seems to have protected her from Rh immunisation. The authors conclude with the special value that they have found using the Kleihauer test.