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. 2015 Jan;50(1):50-4; discussion 54.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2014.10.027. Epub 2014 Oct 29.

The many faces of hydrops

S Christopher Derderian  1 , Cerine Jeanty  1 , Shannon R Fleck  2 , Lily S Cheng  1 , Shabnam Peyvandi  3 , Anita J Moon-Grady  3 , Jody Farrell  4 , Shinjiro Hirose  1 , Juan Gonzalez  5 , Roberta L Keller  3 , Tippi C MacKenzie  6
Affiliations

The many faces of hydrops

S Christopher Derderian et al. J Pediatr Surg. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: Fetal hydrops arises from multiple disease processes and can portend a grim prognosis. We reviewed our experience with hydropic fetuses to understand relevant antenatal anatomic and physiologic predictors of survival.

Methods: We reviewed fetal ultrasounds and echocardiograms of hydropic fetuses evaluated from 1996 to 2013.

Results: Overall neonatal survival in 167 fetuses was 44% (range, 0-75%) and was influenced by the underlying disease process. The anatomic distribution of fluid varied and was not significantly different between survivors and nonsurvivors. Univariate analysis indicated that resolution of hydrops and delivery at a later gestational age were predictive of survival (OR: 5.7 (95% CI: 2.5-13.2) and OR: 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1-1.4), respectively). Fetal intervention also improved survival in some diseases. Echocardiograms were reviewed to group fetuses with similar cardiac physiology and defined categories with high or low/normal cardiothoracic ratio (CTR). Among patients with a high CTR, the cardiovascular profile score was predictive of survival (p=0.009).

Conclusion: Survival in hydrops depends on the underlying disease, available fetal therapies to resolve hydrops, and the gestational age of delivery and not on the specific anatomic manifestations of hydrops. In hydropic fetuses with high CTRs, the cardiovascular profile score may be a useful prognostic indicator.

Keywords: Cardiovascular profile score; Fetal echocardiography; Fetal ultrasonography; Hydrops; Hydrops fetalis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Echocardiography measurements among fetuses with hydrops
(A) CTR, cardiothoracic ratio, among fetuses with various underlying disease processes. SCT, sacrococcygeal teratoma; TTTS, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome; CPAM, congenital pulmonary airway malformation; CDH, congenital diaphragmatic hernia; CHAOS, congenital high airway obstruction syndrome. (B) CVPS, cardiovascular profile score. Data represent median and error bars represent interquartile range. Patients with an elevated cardiothoracic ratio included SCT, anemia, cardiac anomalies, and TTTS and those with a low cardiothoracic ratio included CDH, CPAM, CHAOS, and primary hydrothorax. **p=0.009 by Mann-Whitney U test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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