Causes

There are two types of hydrops fetalis: Immune and nonimmune. The exact cause depends on which form a baby has.

• Immune hydrops fetalis is a complication of a severe form of Rh incompatibility. Rh compatibility causes massive red blood cell destruction, which leads to several problems, including total body swelling. Severe swelling can interfere with how the body organs work.
• Nonimmune hydrops fetalis occurs when a disease or medical condition disrupts the body's ability to manage fluid. There are three main causes for this type: heart or lung problems, severe anemia (thalassemia), and genetic defects, including Turner syndrome.

The number of babies who develop immune hydrops fetalis has dramatically decreased since the introduction of the medicine RhoGAM, which is used to treat pregnant mothers at risk for Rh incompatibility.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the severity of the condition. Mild forms may cause:

• Liver swelling
• Change in skin color (pallor)

More severe forms may cause:

• Breathing problems
• Bruising or purplish bruise-like spots on the skin
• Heart failure
• Severe anemia
• Severe jaundice
• Total body swelling

Exams and Tests

An ultrasound done during pregnancy may show:

• High amounts of amniotic fluid
• Abnormally large placenta
• Fluid that leads to swelling in the unborn baby's belly area and organs, including the liver, spleen, heart, or lung area

An amniocentesis and frequent ultrasounds will be done to determine the severity of the condition.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. During pregnancy, treatment may include:

• Medicine to cause early labor and delivery of the baby
• Early cesarean delivery if condition gets worse
• Giving blood to the baby while still in the womb (intrauterine fetal blood transfusion)

Treatment for a newborn may include:

• Direct transfusion of packed red blood cells (compatible with the infant's blood type) and an exchange transfusion to rid the baby's body of the substances that are destroying the red blood cells
• Using a needle to remove extra fluid from around the lungs and belly area
• Medicines to control heart failure and help the kidneys remove extra fluids
• Methods to help the baby breathe, such as a breathing machine

Outlook (Prognosis)

Hydrops fetalis often results in death of the infant shortly before or after delivery. The risk is highest among the most premature babies and those who are severely ill at birth.

Possible Complications

Brain damage called kernicterus may occur.

Prevention

Rh incompatibility, which can lead to this condition, can be prevented if the mother takes a medicine called RhoGAM at certain times during and after pregnancy.

References

Abrams ME, Meredith KS, Kinnard P, Clark RH. Hydrops fetalis: a retrospective review of cases reported to a large national database and identification of risk factors associated with death. Pediatrics. 2007 Jul;120(1):84-9.

Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005.

Update Date: 5/9/2012

Reviewed by: Kimberly G Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.