Neonates with a prenatal diagnosis of hydrops fetalis: A 10-year experience in a tertiary care center.

INTRODUCTION: Hydrops fetalis (HF) is a rare condition with a high mortality. This study analysed the obstetric and perinatal outcomes of antenatally diagnosed HF according to its aetiology and the possibility of intrauterine treatment (IUT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective review of the health records of 164 pregnant women with a prenatal diagnosis of HF in a tertiary care centre between 2011-2021. We analysed prenatal interventions, clinical findings, aetiologies and obstetric and live-born infant outcomes. RESULTS: An invasive prenatal study had been performed in 79.3% cases. The most common aetiologies were genetic disorders (31%), TORCH and parvovirus B19 infections (9.7%) and structural heart diseases (9.1%). Intrauterine treatment was performed in 25.6%, and 74.4% of pregnancies were terminated. Pregnancies with a prenatal diagnosis of genetic or chromosomal disorders had higher rates of elective termination compared to other aetiologies (P < .01). Among all pregnancies, only 25.6% resulted in live births (LBs), most of them preterm. Perinatal and 1-year survival rates were higher in the group that received IUT (P < .001). Among the LBs, structural heart diseases had the worst survival rates, while the aetiology with the best outcomes was tachyarrhythmia. Survival at 1 year of life among those born alive was 70%, but 58.6% of these infants had significant morbidity at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in the management of FH, the poor obstetric prognosis, perinatal mortality and morbidity of survivors is still significant. These data are important for the purpose of counselling families when HF is diagnosed antenatally.

Tumor cardiaco fetal. Reporte de un caso / Fetal cardiac tumor. Report of a case

Resumen: ANTECEDENTES: Los tumores cardiacos fetales son excepcionales y se asocian con complicaciones que ponen en riesgo la vida del feto. Se diagnostican a partir del segundo trimestre y pueden provocar hidrops fetal no inmunitario, arritmias, compresión de los conductos de salida y muerte súbita. Es importante el seguimiento durante la gestación para detectar posibles complicaciones y establecer un plan de nacimiento. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 35 años, multigesta, enviada a la unidad materno-fetal para valoración por embarazo de 24.2 semanas y feto con tumor cardiaco único, localizado en el ápex, de gran tamaño. No se identificó afectación de la función cardiaca, por lo que solo ameritó vigilancia prenatal. Al nacimiento, el recién nacido recibió tratamiento con everolimus, con reacción satisfactoria. CONCLUSION: El tratamiento y seguimiento de fetos con tumor cardiaco es de suma importancia para detectar complicaciones prenatales y establecer el plan de nacimiento en la unidad de tercer nivel de atención médica.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fetal cardiac tumors are rare, with a very low incidence, however; when they do occur, they are associated with life-threatening complications of the fetus. They are diagnosed from the second trimester and can cause non-immune fetal hydrops, arrhythmias, compression of outflow tracts, and sudden fetal death. Follow-up during pregnancy is important to detect possible complications and establish a birth plan. CLINICAL CASE: A 35-year-old multigest patient, sent to the fetal maternal unit by his treating physician for evaluation for 24.2-week pregnancy and fetus with a single cardiac tumor, located on the apex, of large size; and without compromise in cardiac function, so only prenatal surveillance was warranted. At birth, the newborn received everolimus treatment, with a good response. CONCLUSION: The case of a patient with a single pregnancy and fetus with a prenatal diagnosis of a large cardiac tumor is presented with a family history of hemangiomas. In this case, a follow-up approach to detect prenatal complications and establish a birth plan in a third level of medical care is critical for a good practice.