Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis: Report of 22 Cases Including Three Siblings

Abstract

Cases of nonimmune hydrops fetalis (22, NIHF) seen over a 3 yr period are described. Cases [8] were associated with major congenital anomalies, 7 cases with minor anomalies or other disease entities and 7 idiopathic cases. The overall mortality rate was 50%, greatest in those cases complicated by major anomalies. The clinical problems commonly encountered in management of these patients are reviewed including prenatal detection, perinatal asphyxia, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, fluid and electrolyte imbalance and respiratory difficulty. A reveiew of the literature for those entities found in association with NIHF is also included. The case studies of 3 consecutive siblings with NIHF born to the same parents are briefly analyzed.