Pregnancy outcome of embryonic/fetal pleural effusion in the first trimester.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence of embryonic/fetal pleural effusion in the first trimester and its pregnancy outcome.


METHODS
A total of 965 viable singleton pregnancies confirmed by sonography between 7 and 10 weeks were examined to estimate the incidence of embryonic/fetal pleural effusion. When initial transvaginal sonography showed pleural effusion, serial ultrasound examinations were performed.


RESULTS
Pleural effusion was detected in 12 pregnancies (incidence, 1.2%; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-2.2), which involved bilateral thoracic cavities in all cases. The pregnancy outcome was assessed among 14 cases of pleural effusion, including 2 previously reported cases from the same institution. Among these, 12 pregnancies (86%) miscarried by 14 weeks' gestation. Karyotype was abnormal in 9 (82%) of 11 cases in which chromosomal analysis was successfully performed. Of these, 6 (67%) were 45,X.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested that embryonic/fetal pleural effusion in early pregnancy was associated with poor pregnancy outcome such as spontaneous abortion and chromosomal abnormality.
Hashimoto
Kazumasa
K
Department of Obstetrics, Osaka Medical Center, Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Izumi, Japan. hashi@gyne.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Shimizu
Takashi
T
Fukuda
Misao
M
Ozaki
Mamoru
M
Shimoya
Koichiro
K
Koyama
Masayasu
M
Murata
Yuji
Y
D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal