title: Characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with pericardial effusions.
abstract: Little is known about the characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with pericardial effusions (PEs); therefore, this study sought to identify factors associated with fetal PEs and the natural histories and outcomes of fetuses with PEs. Large PEs are associated with a greater likelihood of structural heart disease, impaired cardiac function, and chromosomal abnormalities, and PEs with hydrops or extracardiac malformations are associated with death. Most fetal PEs resolve, and fetuses with isolated PEs have a very good prognosis.
authors.affiliation: The Lillie Frank Abercrombie Section of Cardiology, Texas Children's Hospital, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Slesnick
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ayres
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Altman
authors.forename: Louis I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Bezold
authors.forename: Benjamin W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Eidem
authors.forename: J Kennard
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Fraley
authors.forename: Grace C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Kung
authors.forename: Colin J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Ricardo H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Pignatelli
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kovalchin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000196:embryology; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology / Q000401:mortality; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal