License: Licence agreement concerning inclusion of doctoral thesis in the Institutional Repository of the University of LeidenFetal Thrombocytopenia: Preventive Strategies • June 16th, 2008
Soon after the introduction of imaging techniques to visualise the fetus, both diagnosis and in some conditions treatment of fetal diseases became feasible. Es- pecially the widespread availability of high-resolution ultrasound has contributed to the commonly accepted concept of the fetus as a patient. Access to the fetal circulation has enabled clinicians to study fetal haematological parameters and abnormalities. The same technique of ultrasound guided fetal blood sampling or cordocentesis can be used to deliver packed red cells, platelets or medication to the fetus.
