Key Points Fetal hydrops is defined as the accumulation of fluid in two fetal compartments (abdominal ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, skin or scalp oedema). It may also be associated with polyhydramnios and placental oedema. Immune hydrops is the result…
Introduction The fetal-maternal interface in pregnancy does not act as a barrier to the passage of fetal cells into the maternal circulation, and the passage of fetal deoxyribonucleic acid into the maternal compartment is one proposed mechanism for preventing immunologic…
Introduction Nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) was first explained by Potter, who described fetal hydrops in the nonanemic fetuses of Rh-positive women. With the advent of anti-D immunoglobulin and the decreased incidence of immune-mediated hydrops, NIHF now comprises 90% of all…