title: Fetal cytomegalovirus infection associated with cerebral hemorrhage, hydrops fetalis, and echogenic bowel: case report.
abstract: We describe some fetal ultrasound findings associated with intrauterine cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. We report a 38-year-old gravida 3, para 2 at 16 weeks of gestation who underwent ultrasound examination for anomaly screening. The scan revealed an extensive irregular echogenic area in the fetal brain, especially at the level of lateral ventricles, suggestive of intraventricular and cerebral hemorrhage. Cardiomegaly, hepatomegaly, and mild ascites as well as an echogenic bowel were demonstrated. Abnormal chromosomes and hemoglobin Bart disease were excluded by analysis of fetal blood. Follow-up ultrasound at 20 weeks of gestation showed frank hydrops fetalis, and termination of the pregnancy was performed based on the couple's decision, giving stillbirth to a male fetus weighing 450 g. Autopsy findings showed intracerebral hemorrhage (right cerebral hemisphere) and hydrops fetalis with hepatosplenomegaly. Microscopic investigation showed typical changes of CMV infection in several organs, including brain, thyroid gland, lung, liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, and placenta. Sonographically, the combination of hydrops fetalis, cerebral hemorrhage, and hyperechoic bowel should raise the possibility of a CMV infection, particularly in cases with no obvious cause of hydrops fetalis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. ttongson@mail.med.cmu.ac.th
authors.forename: Theera
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tongsong
authors.forename: Kornkanok
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sukpan
authors.forename: Chanane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wanapirak
authors.forename: Podjanee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phadungkiatwattna
mesh_terms: D000025:Abortion, Eugenic; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004065:Digestive System Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal