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Hydrops fetalis - Treatment

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the cause. During pregnancy, treatment may include:

Medicine to cause early labor and delivery of the baby
Early cesarean delivery if condition gets worse
Giving blood to the baby while still in the womb (intrauterine fetal blood transfusion)

Treatment for a newborn may include:

Direct transfusion of packed red blood cells (compatible with the infant's blood type) and an exchange transfusion to rid the baby's body of the substances that are destroying the red blood cells
Using a needle to remove extra fluid from around the lungs and belly area
Medicines to control heart failure and help the kidneys remove extra fluids
Methods to help the baby breathe, such as a breathing machine

Expectations (prognosis):

Hydrops fetalis often results in death of the infant shortly before or after delivery. The risk is highest among the most premature babies and those who are severely ill at birth.

Complications:

Brain damage called kernicterus may occur.

Hydrops fetalis

Reviewed last on: 5/9/2011
Kimberly G Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Abrams ME, Meredith KS, Kinnard P, Clark RH. Hydrops fetalis: a retrospective review of cases reported to a large national database and identification of risk factors associated with death. Pediatrics. 2007 Jul;120(1):84-9.

Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005.

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