Fetal sacrococcygeal teratoma

Abstract

Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is being diagnosed before birth with increasing frequency. We were recently consulted about management of a 22-week fetus with SCT and reviewed our experience (6 cases) and the literature. We found that most fetal SCT present from 22 to 34 weeks gestation with a uterus enlarged by the tumor and/or associated polyhydramnios; although the American Academy of Pediatrics Surgical Section clinical classification is an important prognostic indicator in neonatal SCT, it does not appear to predict outcome in fetal SCT; associated chromosomal abnormalities or life threatening anomalies are rare; presentation after 30-weeks gestation is a relatively good prognostic sign with fetal survival, after planned cesarean delivery, in 6 of 8 cases; and hydrops and/or placentomegaly in association with fetal SCT predicts fetal demise soon after diagnosis with 7 of 7 cases dying in utero.