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1.
Obstet Gynecol Surv ; 79(5): 281-289, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38764205

ABSTRACT

Importance: Although the risk of parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy and subsequent risk of adverse fetal outcome are low, understanding management practices is essential for proper treatment of fetuses with nonimmune hydrops fetalis. In addition, continued investigation into delivery management, breastfeeding recommendations, and congenital abnormalities associated with pregnancies complicated by parvovirus B19 infection is needed. Objective: This review describes the risks associated with parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy and the management strategies for fetuses with vertically transmitted infections. Evidence Acquisition: Original articles were obtained from literature search in PubMed, Medline, and OVID; pertinent articles were reviewed. Results: Parvovirus B19 is a viral infection associated with negative pregnancy outcomes. Up to 50% of people of reproductive age are susceptible to the virus. The incidence of B19 in pregnancy is between 0.61% and 1.24%, and, overall, there is 30% risk of vertical transmission when infection is acquired during pregnancy. Although most pregnancies progress without negative outcomes, viral infection of the fetus may result in severe anemia, congestive heart failure, and hydrops fetalis. In addition, vertical transmission carries a 5% to 10% chance of fetal loss. In pregnancies affected by fetal B19 infection, Doppler examination of the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity should be initiated to surveil for fetal anemia. In the case of severe fetal anemia, standard fetal therapy involves an intrauterine transfusion of red blood cells with the goal of raising hematocrit levels to approximately 40% to 50% of total blood volume. One transfusion is usually sufficient, although continued surveillance may indicate the need for subsequent transfusions. There are fewer epidemiologic data concerning neonatal risks of congenital parvovirus, although case reports have shown that fetuses with severe anemia in utero may have persistent anemia, thrombocytopenia, and edema in the neonatal period. Conclusions and Relevance: Parvovirus B19 is a common virus; seropositivity in the geriatric population reportedly reaches 85%. Within the pregnant population, up to 50% of patients have not previously been exposed to the virus and consequently lack protective immunity. Concern for parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy largely surrounds the consequences of vertical transmission of the virus to the fetus. Should vertical transmission occur, the overall risk of fetal loss is between 5% and 10%. Thus, understanding the incidence, risks, and management strategies of pregnancies complicated by parvovirus B19 is essential to optimizing care and outcomes. Further, there is currently a gap in evidence regarding delivery management, breastfeeding recommendations, and the risks of congenital abnormalities in pregnancies complicated by parvovirus B19. Additional investigations into optimal delivery management, feeding plans, and recommended neonatal surveillance are needed in this cohort of patients.


Subject(s)
Hydrops Fetalis , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Parvoviridae Infections , Parvovirus B19, Human , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Humans , Pregnancy , Female , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/therapy , Hydrops Fetalis/epidemiology , Hydrops Fetalis/etiology , Hydrops Fetalis/virology , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Parvoviridae Infections/epidemiology , Parvoviridae Infections/diagnosis , Erythema Infectiosum/epidemiology , Erythema Infectiosum/diagnosis , Erythema Infectiosum/therapy , Pregnancy Outcome/epidemiology
2.
J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med ; 37(1): 2345307, 2024 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38679585

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Mirror syndrome (MS) is a condition characterized by the presence of maternal, fetal, and placental edema and is reversible through delivery or pregnancy termination. As fetal hydrops itself may be amenable to treatment, we sought to determine outcomes for MS primarily managed by fetal therapy through a narrative review of the literature and cases managed at our fetal center. STUDY DESIGN: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched through January 2024 using key words: mirror syndrome, Ballantyne's syndrome, fetal hydrops, maternal hydrops, pseudotoxemia, triple edema, maternal recovery, fetal therapy, and resolution. Manuscripts describing primary management by fetal therapy that included maternal and fetal outcomes were identified. Clinical details of MS patients managed with fetal therapy at our center were also included for descriptive analysis. RESULTS: 16 of 517 manuscripts (3.1%) described fetal therapy as the primary intended treatment in 17 patients. 3 patients managed at our center were included in the analysis. Among 20 patients undergoing primary fetal therapy for management of mirror syndrome, median gestational age of presentation was 24 weeks and 5 days gestation; predominant clinical findings were maternal edema (15/20), proteinuria (10/20), pulmonary edema (8/20), and hypertension (8/20); the primary laboratory abnormalities were anemia (8/20) and elevated creatinine or transaminases (5/20). Condition-specific fetal therapies led to resolution of hydrops in 17 (85%) cases and MS in 19 (95%) cases. The median time to hydrops resolution was 7.5 days and to resolution of mirror syndrome was 10 days. Fetal therapy prolonged pregnancy by a median of 10 weeks with a median gestational age of 35 weeks and 5 days at delivery. All women delivered for indications other than mirror syndrome and 19/20 fetuses survived. CONCLUSION: In appropriately selected cases, MS often resolves after fetal therapy of hydrops allowing for safe pregnancy prolongation with good maternal and infant outcomes.


Subject(s)
Fetal Therapies , Hydrops Fetalis , Humans , Pregnancy , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnosis , Female , Fetal Therapies/methods , Edema/therapy , Syndrome
3.
An Pediatr (Engl Ed) ; 100(2): 115-122, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38307752

ABSTRACT

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.


Subject(s)
Heart Diseases , Hydrops Fetalis , Infant, Newborn , Humans , Pregnancy , Female , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnosis , Hydrops Fetalis/etiology , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Tertiary Care Centers , Prenatal Diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Heart Diseases/complications
4.
Transfusion ; 64(1): 189-193, 2024 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38031483

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP) is a heterogeneous inherited disorder of red blood cell (RBC) membrane and cytoskeletal proteins that leads to hemolytic anemia. HPP is characterized by marked poikilocytosis, microspherocytes, RBC fragmentation, and elliptocytes on peripheral blood smear. Mutations in SPTA1 can cause HPP due to a quantitative defect in α-spectrin and can lead to profound fetal anemia and nonimmune hydrops fetalis, which can be managed with intrauterine transfusion. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 26-year-old G4P2102 woman of Amish-Mennonite ancestry with a pregnancy complicated by fetal homozygosity for an SPTA1 gene variant (SPTA1c.6154delG) as well as severe fetal anemia and hydrops fetalis, which was managed with four intrauterine transfusions between 26 and 30 weeks gestation. Pre-transfusion peripheral smears from fetal blood samples showed RBC morphology consistent with HPP. The neonate had severe hyperbilirubinemia at birth, which has resolved, but remains transfusion-dependent at 6 months of life. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report that correlates homozygosity of the SPTA1c.6154delG gene variant with RBC dysmorphology and establishes the diagnosis of HPP.


Subject(s)
Anemia, Hemolytic , Elliptocytosis, Hereditary , Fetal Diseases , Hematologic Diseases , Pregnancy , Female , Infant, Newborn , Humans , Adult , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnosis , Hydrops Fetalis/genetics , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/complications , Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/diagnosis , Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/genetics , Cytoskeletal Proteins , Anemia, Hemolytic/complications
5.
Prenat Diagn ; 43(12): 1567-1569, 2023 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37964423

ABSTRACT

Duo exome testing was performed on a fetus conceived via in vitro fertilization with an egg donor. The fetus presented with non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) at 20 + 0 weeks gestation. Two variants were detected in the GUSB gene. Biallelic pathogenic variants cause mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS-VII), which can present with NIHF prenatally. At the time of analysis and initial report, one variant was classified as likely pathogenic and the other as of uncertain clinical significance. Biochemical testing of the amniotic fluid supernatant showed elevated glycosaminoglycans and low ß-glucuronidase activity consistent with the diagnosis of MPS-VII. This evidence allowed the upgrade of the pathogenicity for both variants, confirming the diagnosis of MPS-VII. The infant was born at 36 + 5 weeks and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) using vestronidase was initiated at 20 days with planning for hematopoietic stem cell transplant ongoing. The ERT therapy has been well tolerated, with decreasing quantitative urine glycosaminoglycans. Long-term follow up is required to determine whether treatment has been successful. This case demonstrates the utility of alternative testing methods to clarify the pathogenicity of variants and the clinical utility of obtaining a diagnosis antenatally in facilitating treatment in the neonatal period, and specifically highlights MPS-VII as a treatable cause of NIHF.


Subject(s)
Mucopolysaccharidosis VII , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Female , Humans , Mucopolysaccharidosis VII/diagnosis , Mucopolysaccharidosis VII/genetics , Mucopolysaccharidosis VII/therapy , Glucuronidase/genetics , Glucuronidase/therapeutic use , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnosis , Hydrops Fetalis/genetics , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Prenatal Diagnosis , Amniotic Fluid , Glycosaminoglycans
6.
J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med ; 36(2): 2239424, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37581300

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) are rare sporadic lesions frequently associated with poor fetal prognosis. Type 3 CPAMs are characterized by small hyperechogenic cysts (<5 mm). Hydrops often develops secondarily, and the fetal survival rate is approximately 5% in this setting. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a large type 3 CPAM complicated by fetal hydrops. The lesion was detected at 19 gestational weeks (GW) and confirmed by fetal MRI at 29 GW. At 22 GW, a course of maternal steroids was given as a possible treatment of type 3 CPAM. Peritoneal-amniotic shunt was placed twice to reduce fetal ascites, with unsatisfactory results. Similarly, polyhydramnios was relieved by two amnioreductions, but redeveloped soon after. A baby girl was delivered spontaneously at 33 GW and received a two-stage partial lobectomy in the first three months of life. Desaturations necessitated challenging invasive oscillatory ventilation between stages. Her outcome is unexpectedly positive and she may expect a good quality of life. She now approaches one year of age, with near-to-normal growth and developmental milestones. DISCUSSION: Type 3 CPAMs complicated by fetal hydrops are associated with high perinatal mortality. While open fetal surgery remains a viable option in select specialist centers, antenatal interventions are typically ineffective. The survival of this infant can be attributed to prenatal management and early postnatal surgical intervention. The lack of guidelines for ventilation in this setting was a significant challenge for neonatal intensivists. Multidisciplinary vigilance and collaboration with frequent specialist follow ups were the key to success for both mother and child.


Subject(s)
Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital , Hydrops Fetalis , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Child , Pregnancy , Female , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnostic imaging , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Quality of Life , Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital/complications , Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital/diagnostic imaging , Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital/surgery , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Prenatal Care/methods , Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods
7.
Medicine (Baltimore) ; 102(10): e33244, 2023 Mar 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36897689

ABSTRACT

Sustained fetal arrhythmia can produce life-threatening fetal distress, fetal hemodynamic compromise, hydrops fetalis, or even fetal death. Survivors may subsequently possess severe neurologic deficits. We conducted a retrospective observational study of pregnant women hospitalized with fetal arrhythmias from January 2011 to May 2020 at West China Second University Hospital, and fetal arrhythmias were diagnosed by specialists in cardiac ultrasonography. Of 90 cases of fetal arrhythmias, 14 (15.6%) were complicated by fetal congenital heart disease (CHD), 21 (23.33%) by fetal-hydrops, 15 (16.67%) cases by intrauterine therapy, and 6 (6.67%) by maternal auto-immune disease. In the fetal-hydrops group, the intrauterine therapy rate was significantly higher (47.62% vs 7.24%, P < .001) and the survival rate significantly lower (47.62% vs 92.75%, P < .001) than in the nonfetal hydrops group. A fetus whose arrhythmia was complicated by fetal-hydrops and CHD was delivered earlier and exhibited a lower cardiovascular profile score at diagnosis and birth, lower birth weight, and a higher rate of pregnancy termination than cases without hydrops and CHD (P < .05). Among the cases with maternal auto-immune disease, 71.43% (5/7) manifested fetal atrioventricular block. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that 3 variables - fetal-hydrops (P < .001), body mass index (P = .014), and gestational age at diagnosis of fetal arrhythmia (P = .047) - were correlated with the gestational delivery age of arrhythmic fetuses. Parents should be counseled by the multidisciplinary team regarding the individualized management and prognosis of the arrhythmic fetus, and individualized fetal intrauterine therapy should be performed if necessary.


Subject(s)
Fetal Diseases , Heart Defects, Congenital , Pregnancy , Female , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/diagnosis , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Heart Defects, Congenital/complications , Gestational Age
8.
Lancet Infect Dis ; 23(4): e160-e165, 2023 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36436534

ABSTRACT

Human infection with parvovirus B19 causes a range of clinical manifestations, including benign erythema infectiosum in children, arthralgias in adults, aplastic crisis in patients with bone marrow failure, and potentially fatal congenital hydrops fetalis. Persistent parvovirus B19 infection is a rare disease presentation mostly seen in adult women or immunocompromised individuals. Treatment options include corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin; however, viral clearance is difficult to obtain and rarely maintained. In this Grand Round, we report the case of a 43-year-old man with persistent parvovirus B19 infection and anaemia, who was refractory to standard treatment regimens, and whom we successfully treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a. Initial treatment led to viral clearance and remission of anaemia, although secondary recurrence of virus required treatment extension. Despite extensive genetic and immunological evaluations, no underlying primary or secondary immunodeficiency was identified in the patient. We propose interferon alfa-2a as a treatment option for persistent parvovirus B19 infection and advocate long-term follow-up of patients and potentially repeated treatment.


Subject(s)
Anemia , Erythema Infectiosum , Parvovirus B19, Human , Male , Adult , Child , Humans , Female , Erythema Infectiosum/therapy , Interferon alpha-2 , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy
9.
Arch Gynecol Obstet ; 308(1): 117-125, 2023 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35916962

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Evaluating procedure-related complications and perinatal outcomes after intrauterine transfusion (IUT) before or after 20+0 weeks of gestation in fetuses with severe anemia due to intrauterine human parvovirus B19 infection. METHODS: A retrospective study investigating fetuses requiring IUT for fetal Parvo B19 infection in two tertiary referral centers between December 2002 and December 2021. Procedure-related complications, intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), and perinatal outcome were correlated to gestational age (GA) at first IUT, the presence of hydrops and fetal blood sampling results. RESULTS: A total of 186 IUTs were performed in 103 fetuses. The median GA at first IUT was 19+3 (13+0-31+4) weeks of gestation. IUFD occurred in 16/103 fetuses (15.5%). Overall survival was 84.5% (87/103). Hydrops (p = 0.001), lower mean hemoglobin at first IUT (p = 0.001) and low platelets (p = 0.002) were strongly associated with IUFD. There was no difference observed in fetuses transfused before or after 20+0 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: IUT is a successful treatment option in fetuses affected by severe anemia due to parvovirus B19 infection in specialized centers. In experienced hands, IUT before 20 weeks is not related to worse perinatal outcome.


Subject(s)
Anemia , Erythema Infectiosum , Parvoviridae Infections , Parvovirus B19, Human , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Pregnancy , Female , Humans , Erythema Infectiosum/complications , Erythema Infectiosum/therapy , Retrospective Studies , Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine , Parvoviridae Infections/complications , Parvoviridae Infections/therapy , Anemia/etiology , Anemia/therapy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/therapy , Fetal Death/etiology , Fetus , Edema , Hydrops Fetalis/etiology , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy
10.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol ; 278: 122-124, 2022 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36155328

ABSTRACT

Giant chorioangiomas are a potentially life-threatening condition that may require intrauterine therapy. We describe a case of a large chorioangioma (>4cm) diagnosed at 30 weeks of gestation causing severe fetal anemia and hydrops. An intrauterine blood transfusion was performed at 31 weeks with reversal of the anemia and hydrops. The neonate was born at 37 weeks showing respiratory distress syndrome that required neonatal intensive care unit admission but was discharged at 30 days of life. Further evaluation at two months of age showed no signs of abnormal neurodevelopment. When timely indicated, intrauterine transfusion of a hydropic fetus with anemia due to a giant chorioangioma is a potentially life-saving therapy that shows good neurodevelopment of the surviving fetus.


Subject(s)
Anemia , Hemangioma , Placenta Diseases , Pregnancy , Infant, Newborn , Female , Humans , Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnostic imaging , Hydrops Fetalis/etiology , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Hemangioma/complications , Hemangioma/therapy , Anemia/complications , Anemia/therapy , Fetus
11.
Medicina (Kaunas) ; 58(3)2022 Feb 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35334505

ABSTRACT

This report describes a rare case of fetal anemia, confirmed as a mitochondrial disease after birth, treated with intrauterine transfusion (IUT). Although mitochondrial diseases have been described in newborns, research on their prenatal features is lacking. A patient was referred to our institution at 32 gestational weeks owing to fetal hydrops. Fetal anemia was confirmed by cordocentesis. After IUT had been performed three times, the anemia and associated fetal hydrops showed improvement. However, after birth, the neonate had recurrent pancytopenia and lactic acidosis. He was eventually diagnosed with Pearson syndrome and died 2 months after birth. This is the first case report of fetal anemia associated with mitochondrial disease managed with IUT.


Subject(s)
Anemia , Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine , Fetal Diseases , Mitochondrial Diseases , Anemia/complications , Anemia/therapy , Female , Fetal Diseases/diagnosis , Fetal Diseases/etiology , Fetal Diseases/therapy , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/etiology , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Infant, Newborn , Male , Mitochondrial Diseases/complications , Mitochondrial Diseases/therapy , Pregnancy
12.
Br J Haematol ; 197(3): 373-376, 2022 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35176810

ABSTRACT

Owing to the unique pathophysiology of anaemia in haemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis (HBHF), a transfusion strategy based on beta-thalassemia guidelines is suboptimal for chronically transfused HBHF patients. A more aggressive transfusion aimed at reducing the proportion of non-functional HbH and improving the "functional" haemoglobin (f-Hb) can lead to reduced haemolysis and improved tissue oxygenation. However, the optimal transfusion targets for these parameters are not yet defined. In this retrospective, longitudinal study on four chronically transfused patients with HBHF, we used receiver operating characteristic curves to find a pre-transfusion f-Hb of 106 g/l and a HbH of 16.1% to be the optimal thresholds to achieve a normal soluble transferrin receptor and lactate dehydrogenase, respectively.


Subject(s)
Hemoglobins, Abnormal , alpha-Thalassemia , Female , Hemoglobin H , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Longitudinal Studies , Pregnancy , Prenatal Diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Survivors , alpha-Thalassemia/therapy
13.
Wien Med Wochenschr ; 172(13-14): 290-291, 2022 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33738630

ABSTRACT

Significant progress in prenatal care has decreased the incidence of rhesus incompatibility, which may result in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). This case report describes an unusual presentation of HDFN in a preterm infant delivered by caesarean section with isolated massive abdominal fluid collection as the leading clinical sign in addition to severe anemia. The immediate drainage of ascites provided transient clinical stabilization with improved pulmonary function in the delivery suite. After admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), HDFN treatment was initiated. This case report shows the importance of adequately trained staff including neonatologists, pediatricians and NICU nurses in the delivery suite to provide neonatal intensive care for HDFN.


Subject(s)
Erythroblastosis, Fetal , Hydrops Fetalis , Ascites/diagnosis , Ascites/etiology , Ascites/therapy , Cesarean Section , Erythroblastosis, Fetal/diagnosis , Erythroblastosis, Fetal/etiology , Female , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnosis , Hydrops Fetalis/etiology , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature , Pregnancy
14.
Am J Perinatol ; 39(13): 1405-1409, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33321527

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) is defined as the accumulation of excess fluid in two or more body cavities in the fetus without blood incompatibility between mother and baby. We aimed to present our prenatal and postnatal management of intrauterine pleural effusions associated with NIHF. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 60 patients diagnosed with NIHF with intrauterine pleural effusion were analyzed retrospectively. Gestational age of delivery or fetal demise, the intrauterine treatment procedure including extrauterine intrapartum treatment (EXIT), chest tube, and medical treatment methods in fetuses with chylothorax analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (65%) were born alive between 26 and 38 weeks. A thoracoamniotic shunt was placed in one patient during the intrauterine period. Seven patients were placed bilaterally during the postnatal period, all without the umbilical cord being clamped during delivery. But 25 patients died within the first few days following birth. A total of four patients had chylothorax. Two patients who did not respond to medical treatment (somatostatin) were injected with thoracic local batticon and cured. A total of 14 patients were discharged with healing. CONCLUSION: Cases of progressive prenatal pleural effusions associated with NIHF have a high risk for fetal and neonatal death. We think that extreme prematurity increases postnatal mortality because it negatively affects the development of the lung and heart. A close obstetric follow-up and a multidisciplinary approach are required for the management to be selected.


Subject(s)
Chylothorax , Pleural Effusion , Chylothorax/complications , Chylothorax/therapy , Female , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/etiology , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Infant, Newborn , Pleural Effusion/complications , Pleural Effusion/therapy , Pregnancy , Retrospective Studies , Somatostatin
15.
Ther Hypothermia Temp Manag ; 12(1): 43-46, 2022 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34515532

ABSTRACT

Hydrops fetalis (HF) is a serious fetal condition. Infants born with HF are often critically unwell, requiring resuscitation and prolonged intensive care admission. Despite medical advances, morbidity and mortality remain high. Therapeutic hypothermia is the standard of care for term and late preterm infants with moderate-to-severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), as it improves neurodevelopmental outcomes in surviving infants. To our knowledge, the use of therapeutic hypothermia has not previously been reported in infants with HF. We report the case of a term infant with undiagnosed HF, who required resuscitation and received 72 hours of therapeutic hypothermia for moderate HIE. We describe the cardiovascular instability encountered during therapeutic hypothermia and how it was successfully managed. She responded well to treatment and was discharged home bottle-feeding, with normal neurology and a normal brain magnetic resonance imaging scan. From this case, therapeutic hypothermia in infants with HF and HIE is feasible and can be beneficial in carefully selected HF infants meeting cooling criteria.


Subject(s)
Hypothermia, Induced , Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain , Female , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Hypothermia, Induced/methods , Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/complications , Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/diagnostic imaging , Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/therapy , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
16.
Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program ; 2021(1): 331-340, 2021 12 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34889366

ABSTRACT

Heterogeneous red blood cell (RBC) membrane disorders and hydration defects often present with the common clinical findings of hemolytic anemia, but they may require substantially different management, based on their pathophysiology. An accurate and timely diagnosis is essential to avoid inappropriate interventions and prevent complications. Advances in genetic testing availability within the last decade, combined with extensive foundational knowledge on RBC membrane structure and function, now facilitate the correct diagnosis in patients with a variety of hereditary hemolytic anemias (HHAs). Studies in patient cohorts with well-defined genetic diagnoses have revealed complications such as iron overload in hereditary xerocytosis, which is amenable to monitoring, prevention, and treatment, and demonstrated that splenectomy is not always an effective or safe treatment for any patient with HHA. However, a multitude of variants of unknown clinical significance have been discovered by genetic evaluation, requiring interpretation by thorough phenotypic assessment in clinical and/or research laboratories. Here we discuss genotype-phenotype correlations and corresponding clinical management in patients with RBC membranopathies and propose an algorithm for the laboratory workup of patients presenting with symptoms and signs of hemolytic anemia, with a clinical case that exemplifies such a workup.


Subject(s)
Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital/diagnosis , Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/diagnosis , Erythrocyte Membrane/pathology , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnosis , Spherocytosis, Hereditary/diagnosis , Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital/genetics , Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital/pathology , Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital/therapy , Disease Management , Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/genetics , Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/pathology , Elliptocytosis, Hereditary/therapy , Genetic Testing , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/genetics , Hydrops Fetalis/pathology , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Infant , Male , Mutation , Spherocytosis, Hereditary/genetics , Spherocytosis, Hereditary/pathology , Spherocytosis, Hereditary/therapy
17.
J Perinatol ; 41(10): 2544-2548, 2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34489542

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the etiology and outcome of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) according to gestational age at diagnosis and intrauterine treatment. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 122 NIHF cases were included. Medical records and ultrasonographic images were reviewed. The etiology, outcome, and intrauterine treatment were assessed. RESULTS: The etiology was determined in 100 cases, and Hb Bart's disease was the most common. Two cases each of homozygous Southeast Asian ovalocytosis (SAO) and hemoglobin Constant Spring (Hb CS) were found. NIHF diagnosed in early gestation (<24 weeks) had a higher rate of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal demise. Intrauterine treatment was given in 18 cases, and 50% had successful live births. CONCLUSION: Hb Bart's disease was the most common cause of NIHF. SAO and Hb CS were associated with hydrops. NIHF in gestational age <24 weeks was associated with chromosomal abnormalities and fetal demise. Intrauterine treatment should be offered in selected cases.


Subject(s)
Hydrops Fetalis , Prenatal Diagnosis , Female , Fetal Death , Gestational Age , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnosis , Hydrops Fetalis/etiology , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Infant , Pregnancy , Ultrasonography, Prenatal
18.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol ; 264: 358-362, 2021 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34391051

ABSTRACT

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a widespread infection that may affect 1-5% of pregnant women, mainly with normal pregnancy outcome. Vertical transmission occurs in 33-51% of cases of maternal infection. B19V infection is an important cause of fetal morbidity (fetal anaemia and non-immune hydrops) and mortality, predominantly in the second trimester. Diagnosis of B19V infection requires a multi-method approach using mainly serology and PCR techniques. Severe fetal anaemia is managed with intrauterine transfusion with perinatal survival rates following intrauterine transfusion ranging from 67% to 85%. If fetal anaemia is mild, and considering that hydrops can spontaneously resolve, invasive therapy is not recommended and B19V complicated pregnancy may be non-invasively monitored by serial ultrasound examination and MCV-PSV measurements. As an alternative, intrauterine IVIG therapy has been described with successful treatment of fetal hydrops. No specific antiviral therapy or vaccine is presently available for B19V infection but efforts in the search for compounds inhibiting B19V replication are now being pursued. New virus-like-particle based parvovirus B19 vaccine candidates, produced by co-expressing VP2 and either wild-type VP1 or phospholipase-negative VP1 in a regulated ratio from a single plasmid inSaccharomyces cerevisiae have been developed and show sufficient promise to test in humans.


Subject(s)
Erythema Infectiosum , Parvoviridae Infections , Parvovirus B19, Human , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Erythema Infectiosum/diagnosis , Erythema Infectiosum/therapy , Female , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Parvoviridae Infections/complications , Parvoviridae Infections/diagnosis , Parvoviridae Infections/therapy , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/diagnosis , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/therapy , Pregnancy Outcome
19.
Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol ; 60(3): 551-553, 2021 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33966747

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We described a case of fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma complicated by hydrops. And we discussed our approach during pregnancy. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old woman primigravida was referred at 29 weeks of gestation (WG) to prenatal unit for a large hyperechogenic intracardiac mass associated with fetal hydrops. An intrauterine peritoneo-amniotic shunt was placed. Complete regression of ascites and pericardial effusions were observed after 34 WG with drain in good position. CONCLUSION: Cardiac rhabdomyoma is the most common prenatal cardiac tumor. These tumors are benign, asymptomatic and spontaneously regress after birth. However, in some cases, these tumors may cause severe obstructions on the fetal heart and need specific treatment.


Subject(s)
Drainage/methods , Fetal Diseases/therapy , Fetal Therapies/methods , Heart Neoplasms/embryology , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Rhabdomyoma/embryology , Ascites , Female , Fetal Diseases/diagnosis , Fetal Heart/embryology , Heart Neoplasms/diagnosis , Heart Neoplasms/therapy , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnosis , Pregnancy , Rhabdomyoma/diagnosis , Rhabdomyoma/therapy , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Young Adult
20.
Pediatr Transplant ; 25(6): e14037, 2021 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34003560

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome (BHFS) was once considered a fatal condition universally. Medical advances over the past three decades have resulted in increasing numbers of BHFS survivors. This retrospective review summarized local territory-wide experience and outcomes of BHFS patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Hong Kong. METHODS: All BHFS patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT in Hong Kong, either in one of the two former pediatric transplant centers (Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital) on or before 2019 or in the single territory-wide pediatric transplant center (Hong Kong Children's Hospital) since 2019, from January 1, 1996, till December 31, 2020, were included. Basic demographic data, perinatal history, transplant details, long-term outcomes, and morbidities were reviewed. RESULTS: Total five allogeneic HSCT were performed in two males and three females at a median age of 22 months, which include one 8/8 matched-sibling bone marrow transplant, one 5/6 matched-sibling cord blood transplant with HLA-DR antigenic mismatch, two 12/12 matched-unrelated peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT), and one haploidentical PBSCT with TCRαß/CD45RA depletion from maternal donor. Neutrophil and platelet engrafted (>20 × 109 /L) at a median of 15 and 22 days, respectively. All achieved near full donor chimerism at 1 month. All patients survived and remained transfusion-independent without significant morbidities with median follow-up duration of 10 years. CONCLUSION: To conclude, local data demonstrated favorable outcome of allogeneic HSCT for BHFS patients, but sample number is small. Non-directive approach in counseling and international collaboration is recommended.


Subject(s)
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Hemoglobins, Abnormal , Hydrops Fetalis/therapy , Female , Hong Kong , Humans , Infant , Male , Retrospective Studies , Transplantation, Homologous
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