Hydrops Fetalis Associated with Immunologic and Nonimmunologic Factors

ABSTRACT

Described is a pregnancy complicated by severe Rh sensitization and hydrops fetal is which was managed aggressively with frequent intrauterine transfusions initiated at 21œ weeks of gestation. No improvement or only temporary improvement of the fetal hydrops was observed after each intrauterine transfusion. Postmortem examination of the infant revealed the additional presence of nonimmunologic factors involved such as pulmonic atresia and lung hypoplasia. In cases of severe Rh sensitization associated with persistent fetal hydrops despite frequent intrauterine transfusions, the presence of coexistent factors for nonimmunologic fetal hydrops should be considered.