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The purpose of this review is to draw attention to the importance of early diagnosis in cases of clinically significant fetomaternal hemorrhage, which is a rare but important condition to consider in the diagnosis of fetal distress. Unfortunately, since the signs of fetomaternal hemorrhage are nonspecific and the majority of cases occur spontaneously, without prior trauma or other condition, a high degree of suspicion from the clinician is necessary to establish the early treatment. The use of paraclinical tests, such as Kleihauer-Betke test and flow cytometry, is necessary to identify the passage of fetal erythrocytes into the maternal circulation. The determination of the most efficient and accessible method of diagnosis is imperative. The proposed diagnostic algorithm presented in this article can help standardize the diagnostic process of fetomateral hemorrhage, making it more efficient and precise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explore the "why?", and "how?", monitoring the pH of the fetal scalp is used, and show its limitations. In addition, we review the development of new devices based on the modern physics and nanomaterials serving this topic. Most of the works we found in our search have focused on improving the prognostic of fetal heart rate monitoring, because it is the "golden standard" in determining fetal distress. Although the best-known screening method, it can only provide limited information about the actual status of the fetus. The best predictive assessment, with the highest reproducibility, states that a normal fetal heart rate is indicative of a healthy baby. However, its excellent sensitivity is much reduced when identifying the actual "distress". This is when second-line monitoring methods come into play to guide the diagnostics and direct the obstetrician towards an action plan. Although a historic method, fetal scalp pH sampling is still under review as to its efficiency and place in the current obstetrics. Continuous surveillance of the fetal parameters is important, especially for the fetuses undergoing intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR). Since fetal scalp blood sampling is still under research and is a randomized controlled trial, which compares the relevance of pH and lactates to the obstetrical situation, the maternal-fetal medicine could greatly benefit from the introduction of engineered nanomedicines to the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]