Hydrops fetalis

Zika Virus Infection and Stillbirths A Case of Hydrops Fetalis Hydranencephaly and Fetal Demise

Hydrops fetalis is a serious fetal condition defined by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in two or more fetal compartments, including in the subcutaneous tissue, pleura, pericardium, or in the abdomen, which is also known as ascites. Hydrops fetalis can be immune or nonimmune.

Immune Hydrops Fetalis

Immune hydrops fetalis is a complication of a severe form of Rh incompatibility, which can occur when the blood type of a pregnant woman is Rh negative and the blood type of her fetus is Rh positive. This can lead to Rh disease, a condition that occurs when the Rh factors in the mom's blood and baby's blood don't match. It can cause the mother's immune system to react and create antibodies that attack and destroy the baby's red blood cells. This can lead to severe anemia, leading to hydrops fetalis.

Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis, the more common type, occurs as a result of several diseases, including cardiovascular defects, chromosomal abnormalities, and intrauterine infections.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hydrops fetalis may include:

• Severe swelling in the fetus
• Excessive fluid in the placenta
• Thickened placenta
• Fluid accumulation in the spaces of the baby's body, including the abdomen, pleura, and pericardium.

Diagnosis

Hydrops fetalis can be diagnosed during pregnancy by using ultrasound imaging. The condition can also be suggested by a polyhydramnios, which is an excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid.

Treatment

The treatment for hydrops fetalis depends on the cause. If it is caused by Rh incompatibility, the mother may receive Rh immune globulin at 28 weeks of gestation and at delivery to prevent her from developing antibodies against her baby's blood cells. Other treatments may include intrauterine fetal blood transfusions and early delivery.

Prognosis

The prognosis for hydrops fetalis depends on the underlying cause. The condition is typically very serious and is often fatal.

See Also

• Rh disease
• Polyhydramnios
• Intrauterine infection
• Ultrasound

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