Non-immune hydrops fetalis: prenatal diagnosis and perinatal outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the perinatal outcomes after a prenatal diagnosis of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF).


METHODS
Retrospective case series. University of Mississippi ultrasound database from July 2000 to January 2003 was reviewed for cases of NIHF. Records abstracted for maternal demographics and neonatal outcomes.


RESULTS
Thirty-one cases of NIHF were identified and full data was available for 29 cases. Median gestational age at diagnosis was 17.3 weeks. Structural fetal malformations were noted in 22 cases (76%); most common were cystic hygroma (N = 17, 59%), followed by cardiac (N = 10, 34%). Amniocentesis was performed in 20 cases and 10 were aneuploid. Only 10 fetuses (34%) were liveborn and only five (17%) survived the neonatal period.


CONCLUSIONS
Antepartum diagnosis of NIHF conveys a grave perinatal prognosis. Associated anomalies can be expected in approximately 75% of cases. Even for those fetuses achieving viability, survival beyond the neonatal period is rare.
Rose
Carl H
CH
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
Bofill
James A
JA
Le
Michael
M
Martin
Rick W
RW
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality*; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal