In a significant advancement in maternal and foetal healthcare, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Gorakhpur has successfully performed its first intrauterine blood transfusion, saving the life of an unborn baby. The procedure marked a milestone for the institute, which announced the achievement on Tuesday.
Patient History and High-Risk Pregnancy
The patient, a woman from Kushinagar district, was undergoing her fourth pregnancy after experiencing repeated pregnancy losses due to Rh isoimmunisation. This condition occurs when maternal antibodies attack the foetus's red blood cells, leading to severe anaemia and other complications. With no living child, the pregnancy was classified as extremely high risk.
Diagnosis and Intervention
Doctors at AIIMS Gorakhpur detected severe foetal anaemia during routine antenatal monitoring using Doppler ultrasound and indirect Coombs test assessments. The condition posed a serious threat of heart failure and intrauterine death for the foetus. In response, a highly specialised intrauterine blood transfusion was performed, where compatible blood was transfused directly into the foetus through the umbilical cord under imaging guidance.
The procedure was carried out by Dr Preeti Bala Singh and a multidisciplinary team from the department of obstetrics and gynaecology. The intervention was conducted under the guidance of executive director Major General Prof Vibha Dutta and the leadership of Shikha Seth.
Significance and Future Impact
Doctors noted that such interventions previously required referrals to centres outside the region, including Lucknow. This successful procedure at AIIMS Gorakhpur now provides a life-saving option for high-risk pregnancies locally, reducing the need for travel and improving access to advanced foetal care in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
