Neonatal hemochromatosis: a rare cause of nonimmune hydrops fetalis and fetal anemia

Abstract

Neonatal hemochromatosis is a rare inherited disorder of iron metabolism in which various tissues contain excessive amounts of iron. Only in a very few cases in which the disease is associated with fetal nonimmune hydrops is there the possibility for prenatal diagnosis. We present a case of fetal nonimmune hydrops fetalis in which severe fetal anemia and elevated liver enzymes were found. Retrospectively, according to pathological examination, these were signs of neonatal hemochromatosis. Only the knowledge of the disease entity allows antenatal diagnosis and rational perinatal management.