Evaluation of Cases with Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis

Objective: We evaluated the characteristics of babies with nonimmune hydrops fetalis born at our hospital during a four-year period. Material and Methods: All newborns with a prenatal or early neonatal diagnosis of nonimmune hydrops fetalis based on clinical history, physical and laboratory examination during the period between January 2008 and December 2011 were evaluated retrospectively. results: A total of 39 newborns with hydrops fetalis were included in this study. Twenty two infants (56.4%) were diagnosed in the antenatal period, and the etiological factor was evident in the prenatal period in 8 infants (20.5%). The most common finding was skin edema in all patients (100%), while neonatal ascites (84.6%) was the second most common sign. Findings related with nonimmune hydrops fetalis were as follows: congenital heart disease (2/39), arrythmia (2/39), congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (2/39), chylothorax (2/39), cystic hygroma (1/39), twin-totwin transfusion syndrome (7/39), anemia (3/39), genetic/chromosomal abnormalities (5/39), and perforated intrauterine meconium ileus (1/39). No obvious cause was identified in 35.8% (14/39) of cases and these were classified as idiopathic. The mortality rate was 76.9%, and 16 of them (41%) died within the first 24 hours of life. conclusion: The mortality rate is still very high in nonimmune hydrops fetalis. The most common signs were skin edema and neonatal ascites in the antenatal period. Diseases of organs and systems were frequent among the causes of nonimmune hydrops fetalis. Comprehensive diagnostic testing and examinations should therefore be performed as soon as possible.