Hydrops fetalis

Overview

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the fetus which can be fatal. Excessive fluid leaves the blood and enters the tissues. It can have non-immune and immune (mother's immune system destroys fetal red blood cells).

Symptoms

  • Excessive amniotic fluid
  • Thick placenta
  • Pale newborn
  • Severe infant swelling
  • Breathing difficulty

Causes

  • G6PDH deficiency
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis VII
  • Greenberg dysplasia
  • Haemoglobin Bart's
  • Short rib-polydactyly syndrome type 1
  • Generalized gangliosidosis GM1
  • Glycogenosis type 7
  • Carbohydrate deficient glycoprotein syndrome type 1a
  • Glucose phosphate isomerase deficiency
  • Rh isoimmunization of fetus and newborn
  • Short rib-polydactyly syndrome type 4
  • Glycogenosis type 4
  • Gaucher's disease
  • Langer-Saldino achondrogenesis
  • Salla disease
  • Short rib-polydactyly syndrome type 2
  • Farber's disease
  • Achondrogenesis type 1B

Diagnosis

signs and symptoms of Hydrops fetalis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Hydrops fetalis symptoms.

Prognosis

Hydrops fetalis often results in death of the infant shortly before or after delivery. The risk is highest for babies born very early or who are ill at birth.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the cause. Severely anemic fetuses can be treated with blood transfusions while still in the womb.