Hydrops fetalis
| Hydrops fetalis | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| An ultrasound featuring a fetus with Hydrops fetalis | |
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | P56, P83.2 |
| ICD-9-CM | 773.3, 778.0 |
| DiseasesDB | 29715 |
| MedlinePlus | 007308 |
| eMedicine | ped/1042 |
| Patient UK | Hydrops fetalis |
| MeSH | D015160 |
Hydrops fetalis is a condition in the fetus characterized by an accumulation of fluid, or edema, in at least two fetal compartments. By comparison, hydrops allantois or hydrops amnion is an accumulation of excessive fluid in the allantoic or amniotic space, respectively.
Locations can include:
The edema is usually seen in the fetal subcutaneous tissue, sometimes leading to spontaneous abortion. It is a prenatal form of heart failure, in which the heart is unable to satisfy its demand for a high amount of blood flow.
Hydrops fetalis usually stems from fetal anemia, when the heart needs to pump a much greater volume of blood to deliver the same amount of oxygen. This anemia can have either an immune or non-immune cause. Non-immune hydrops can also be unrelated to anemia, for example if a fetal tumor or congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation increases the demand for blood flow. The increased demand for cardiac output leads to heart failure, and corresponding edema.
The non-immune form of hydrops fetalis has many causes including:
Hydrops fetalis can be diagnosed and monitored by ultrasound scans. Prenatal ultrasound scanning enables early recognition of hydrops fetalis and has been enhanced with the introduction of MCA Doppler.
The treatment depends on the cause.
Severely anemic fetuses, including those with Rh disease and alpha thalassemia major, can be treated with blood transfusions while still in the womb. This treatment increases the chance that the fetus will survive until birth.
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