Recognition of the hydropic fetus by gray scale ultrasound

Abstract

The use of gray scale B mode provides more effective visualization for sonographic evaluation of fetal ascities. Two cases of severely Rh isoimmunized fetuses with hydrops and one fetus with hydrops secondary to chylous ascites are presented to show the ultrasonic features of diagnosis of fetal edema and ascities. Thus, ultrasonic evaluation in known cases of Rh isoimmunization or diabetes provides additional information on the status of the fetus in utero and rapid recognition of fetal hydrops. This additional information aids in the management of the pregnancy and in the determination of the time of delivery.

Nonimmunologic Hydrops Fetalis: A Review of 19 Cases

“…Ultrasonography appears to be the most satisfactory means of establishing the presence of hydrops. Established ultrasonographic criteria for the diagnosis of hydrops include central displacement of the viscera, hepatosplenomegaly, scalp edema, coarse fetal outline and increased placental thickness (6). In addition, ultrasonography may indicate an associated fetal or placental abnormality in cases such as neoplasia, cystic adenomatoid lung malformation, urinary tract obstruction, chorioangioma and parabiosis.…”

Treatment and Prevention of Rh Isoimmunization

“…Antibody titers of 1:128 are considered to cause significant fetal anemia and once these titers are reached, the pregnancy is monitored closely by MCA-PSV [24,25].…”

Aszites des Föten - Intrauterine Diagnose und Punktionsbehandlung unter Verwendung von Ultraschall

“…Die beteiligten atiologischen Faktoren konnen u.a. sein : eine entztindliche endouterine Infektion, Herz-Kreislaufsti:irungen, Verlegung der Harnwege, Ovarialzysten und fotale Erythroblastose' (3,4,6,8) .…”