Nonimmune hydrops fetalis associated with genetic abnormalities

Article Abstract:

Hydrops fetalis is a complication of pregnancy marked by fetal skin swelling. Many cases are caused by blood group incompatibilities between the mother and the fetus. Nonimmune hydrops fetalis can be caused by a variety of disorders. Nonimmune hydrops fetalis can be the result of genetic and nongenetic defects. The incidence of nonimmune hydrops associated with genetic abnormalities was studied by reviewing 600 cases reported since 1982 and compared with 298 cases before 1982. Genetic abnormalities were diagnosed in 35 percent of the nonimmune hydrops cases after 1982 and 21 percent of the cases before 1982. After 1982, 94 hydrops fetuses (15.7 percent) had a chromosomal disorder, 62 (10.3 percent) had alpha-thalassemia, and 24 (4.0 percent) had skeletal dysplasia. Metabolic storage disease is also represented. Before 1982, 37 to 44 percent of the cases were of unknown causes, compared with 15.5 percent after 1982. Improved methods of prenatal diagnosis and fetal ultrasonography have allowed for early detection of hydrops fetalis, which has contributed to the change in the incidence of genetic abnormalities associated with fetal hydrops. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Genetic aspects, Genetic disorders

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Antenatal steroid therapy and 5-year outcome of extremely low birth weight infants

Article Abstract:

The effectiveness of the steroid betamethasone to promote the growth of fetal lungs was tested in 170 pregnant mothers carrying low birth weight fetuses. All 170 infants were admitted to intensive care after birth. Of the 67 infants exposed to steroids before birth, 68.7 percent survived their primary hospitalization, compared with 41.7 percent of the 103 infants who had not been exposed to steroids. While the difference is highly significant, it is biased because infants in the steroid group had a better prognosis to begin with. The steroid group maintained a substantially higher survival rate, and steroid therapy did not affect rates of illness or neurodevelopment at least up to the age of five. Treatment with steroids is advisable for extremely immature and extremely low birth weight infants.

Causes of, Cerebral palsy, Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight, Betamethasone

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Spontaneous resolution of fetal cystic hygroma and hydrops in Turner syndrome

Article Abstract:

A 21-week old fetus had a cystic hygroma, a large lymph system tumor (lymphangioma) and hydrops, the abnormal accumulation of fluid, in the abdomen. When the infant was born, it had a webbed neck, a characteristic feature of Turner syndrome, a disorder of gonadal differentiation, marked by short stature, undifferentiated (streak) gonads, and other abnormalities including a webbed neck and heart defects. Early in its infancy, the patient's aorta had to be repaired to fix a stricture or contraction (coarctation) of the aorta. The case provided an opportunity to study the evolution of Turner syndrome in a fetus. If lymphangioma sores are detected before birth, the possibility of survival for patients with Turner syndrome may increase.

Abnormalities, Neck, Lymphangioma

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