title: [Non-immune hydrops fetalis--clinical experience in newborn infants].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-immune hydrops fetalis is a condition of excessive accumulation of extravascular fluid without identifiable circulating antibody to erythrocytes membrane antigens. In newborn infants it is characterized by skin oedema and pleural, pericardial or peritoneal effusion. In the era of routine Rh immunization for the prevention of foetal erythroblastosis, non-immune pathophysiologic mechanisms are presented in 76-87% of all hydropic newborns. Non-immune hydrops fetalis can be associated with numerous and various disorders. The mortality rate may exceed 50%. This study was aimed at presenting our clinical experience in treating newborn infants with non-immune hydrops fetalis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective-prospective study included newborn infants with non-immune hydrops fetalis, who were treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Mother and Child Health Institute of Serbia between January 1, 2001 and October 31, 2010. All valid data about aetiology, diagnosis, clinical course and outcome were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diagnosis of non-immune hydrops fetalis was made in 11 newborns. The etiologic diagnosis was established in 8 patients: anaemia due to fetomaternal transfusion in 4 patients and conatal cytomegalovirus infection, intracranial haemorrhage, isolated pulmonary lymphangiectasia and diffuse skin and mediastinal lymphangiomatosis in the remaining 4 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-immune hydrops of newborn infant is associated with a high mortality rate and requires complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. An optimal management of neonates with non-immune hydrops fetalis demands a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Institut za zdravstvenu zastitu majke i deteta Srbije, "Dr Vukan Cupić", Beograd.
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pejić
authors.forename: Borisav
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Janković
authors.forename: Zeljko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Miković
authors.forename: Zorica
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rakonjac
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martić
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stajić
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male