Fetal hydrops—is the prognosis always poor?

Summary

Summary

Twenty-eight cases of fetal hydrops were referred to the Regional Fetal Medicine Centre in two years. All of these were diagnosed antenatally and were alive at the time of referral. The overall mortality was 75 per cent (21/28). Three major poor prognostic factors were identified, gestational age less than 20 weeks (when the patient usually decided on abortion), abnormal karyotype and congenital anomaly (17 cases). Correcting for these factors resulted in a 63 per cent survival (7111).

All cases of fetal hydrops should be thoroughly investigated in order to improve parental counselling regarding prognosis and to offer treatment in appropriate cases.