Hydrops fetalis

Hydrops fetalis is a blood condition in the fetus characterized by an edema in the fetal subcutaneous tissue, sometimes leading to spontaneous abortion.

Classification and Causes

Hydrops fetalis can have either an immune or non-immune cause.

Rh disease is the major cause for immune mediated hydrops fetalis; however, owing to preventative methods developed in the 1970s Rh disease has markedly declined. Rh disease can be prevented by administration of anti-D IgG (Rho(D) Immune Globulin) injections to RhD-negative mothers during pregnancy and/or within 72 hours of the delivery.

The non-immune form of hydrops fetalis has many causes including:

Deficiency of the enzyme beta-glucuronidase. This enzyme deficiency is the cause of the lysosomal storage disease called Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII.
Parvovirus B19 infection of the pregnant woman.
α thalassemia can also cause hydrops fetalis when all four of the genetic loci for α globulin are deleted or affected by mutation.
Uncommonly, Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC) can present with hydrops fetalis.

Diagnosis

Hydrops fetalis can be diagnosed and monitored by ultrasound scans.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the cause.

Severely anemic fetuses can be treated with blood transfusions while still in the womb.

References

Cassidy MD, George. Hydrops Fetalis. eMedicine Online. 2004.

External links