Fetal 'space-suit' hydrops in the first trimester: differentiating risk for chromosome abnormalities by delineating characteristics of nuchal translucency.
Detecting first trimester fetuses with pan-body hydrops, giving the appearance of a 'space-suit,' is associated with a marked increased risk for chromosome abnormalities. In 30 consecutive fetuses prospectively characterized by space-suit hydrops, detected at or before 13.9 weeks' gestation, 26 (86.7%) were characterized by chromosome abnormalities. However, as opposed to the preponderance of autosome abnormalities among first-trimester fetuses with prominent nuchal translucencies, 15 of the 26 fetuses (57.7%) with abnormal complements were characterized by sex chromosome aneuploidies. Genetic counselling and consideration of invasive prenatal testing is warranted when space-suit hydrops is detected in the first trimester.
Shulman
L P
LP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee, Memphis 60612, USA. lps5@cornell.edu
Phillips
O P
OP
Emerson
D S
DS
Felker
R E
RE
Tharapel
A T
AT
D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D015193:Chorionic Villi Sampling; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000235:genetics; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014427:Twins; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal