Incidence, causes and pregnancy outcomes of hydrops fetalis at Srinagarind Hospital, 1996-2005: a 10-year review

To identify the incidence and determine causes and pregnancy outcomes of hydrops fetalis at Srinagarind Hospital. A retrospective descriptive study. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University. A retrospective medical record review of all pregnant women and newborns who were diagnosed with hydrops fetalis at all gestational ages and delivered at Srinagarind Hospital between 1996 and 2005. During the period of study, the incidence of hydrops fetalis was 1.80 per 1,000 total births (82 cases of 45,499 total births). Thirty-nine cases (47.56%) were idiopathic, 30 cases (36.58%) were Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis, and three (3.66%) cases were caused by congenital infection. The others 10 cases (12.19%) were achondrogenesis, Turner syndrome, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, severe anemia with unknown primary cause, cystic hygroma, multiple congenital anomalies, and Rh isoimmunization. The mortality rate of hydrops fetalis in the present series was 98.78%. One case, caused by Rh isoimmunization, survived. Maternal complications were 30 cases (36.59%) consisting of preeclampsia, preterm labor, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, placenta previa, and postpartum hemorrhage. The incidence of hydrops fetalis was 1.80 per 1,000 total births. The common known cause was Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis. The mortality rate of hydrops fetalis in the present study was very high.