title: Non-immune hydrops fetalis as a diagnostic and survival problems: what do we tell the parents?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) is one of the most difficult problems related to pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the etiological analysis as well as the fetal and neonatal outcomes of NIHF.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the prenatal sonographic data and postnatal medical records of pregnant women diagnosed as NIHF in our hospital between January 2001 and May 2013. All cases were categorized using 12 etiological classification groups. Demographic data, diagnostic laboratory parameters, karyotyping results, sonographic and autopsy findings, postnatal final diagnoses, and perinatal mortality rates were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study included 147 cases. The mean gestational age at the time of the initial diagnosis was 23.84±6.30 weeks. Cardiovascular causes were the most common (21.7%), followed by structural abnormalities (17.0%), chromosomal abnormalities (6.8%), and skeletal dysplasias (5.4%). Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 12.8% of these cases. The most common karyotype abnormality was monosomy X. Postmortem autopsy was performed in 50 (34%) cases, and at least one finding was detected in 40 (80%) of these cases. The overall mortality rate was 78.2%. The gestational week at delivery, birth weight, and Apgar score (1st and 5th min) showed a statistically significant difference between exitus and surviving fetuses (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NIHF can lead to high perinatal morbidity and mortality, yet its etiopathology remains poorly understood. Early diagnosis of NIHF gives parents an opportunity to make an informed choice about the possible complications of a pregnancy.
authors.forename: Mert
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turgal
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozyuncu
authors.forename: Gokhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boyraz
authors.forename: Aslihan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yazicioglu
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sinan Beksac
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult