All issues > Volume 34(5); 1991

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1991;34(5):691-699. Published online May 31, 1991.

Three cases of nonimmune hydrops fetalis.

Young Youn Choi¹, Jae Sook Ma¹, Tai Ju Hwang¹, Tae Bok Song²

¹Department of Pediatrics, Chonnam University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea
²Department of OB & GY, Chonnam University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea

Received: October 22, 1990;  Accepted: January 8, 1991.

Abstract

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis is defined as a pathologic and generalized abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the entire body tissues and cavities unassociated with erythroblastosis. After the licensing of Rh Immune Prophylaxis (1968), the incidence of classic erythroblastosis fetalis has declined dramatically but the proportion of nonimmune types has increased relatively. With increasing use of ultrasound as a part of routine obstetric care, fetal hydrops can be diagnosed safely and precisely early in pregnancy. At birth various factors such as gross edema, pleural effusion, ascites and associated lung hypoplasia may complicate the resuscitation of the affected newborns. Good management should include the interaction of the obstetrician, the ultrasonologist, the neonatologist, the pathologist and the medical geneticist. This report is to attract more clinical attention to this condition, contributing the improvements in survivals after birth and to ascertain the causative condition for aid in subsequent pregnancies.

Keywords :Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis;Ultrasound;Gross Edema;Pleural Effusion;Ascites