title: Confirmation of etiology in fetal hydrops by sonographic evaluation of fluid allocation patterns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate patterns of fluid allocations in different etiologies of hydrops fetalis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report is a retrospective cohort study on 20,395 fetal sonographic evaluations in a single tertiary center from 2000 to 2014. Special emphasis was placed on the exact description of the distinct fluid allocation sites in each fetus. Postmortem/postnatal records were evaluated additionally. Mean follow up of the surviving neonates was 34 days (10-60 days).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There seem to be distinctive patterns of fluid allocation in some etiologies leading to fetal hydrops including aneuploidies and Parvovirus B19 related infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the allocation patterns of fluid filled sites in fetuses with hydrops fetalis the spectrum of possible etiologies may be narrowed already during initial ultrasound scan. It can contribute substantially to diagnostic accuracy as well as to parental counseling. This knowledge may also help to omit delay in diagnostic routines.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany. Electronic address: David.Hartge@uksh.de.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hartge
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weichert
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gembicki
authors.affiliation: Amedes Praxis für Endokrinologie, Kinderwunsch und Pränatalmedizin, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krapp
mesh_terms: D034841:Abdominal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000782:Aneuploidy; D001201:Ascites / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D025063:Chromosome Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016731:Erythema Infectiosum / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D010496:Pericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D035422:Pleural Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006831:Polyhydramnios / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
keywords: Congenital heart defect; Fetal anemia; Fetal aneuploidy; Fetal ultrasound; High risk pregnancy