A case of Severe Hydrops Fetalis due to Anti-E Alloimmunization

ABSTRACT

Hydrops fetalis is a condition characterized by an accumulation of fluid, or edema, in at least two fetal compartments. Only a small percentage (less than 10%) of hydrops fetalis cases are related to immune hydrops caused by variant antigens present the surface of the red blood cells (RBCs), depending on blood groups, such as ABO, Rh (C, D, E, c, e), I, P, Kell, etc. The Rh (E) antigen generally does not cause fetal anemia; however, in rare cases, it can be lethal, leading to stillbirth. We report a case of a preterm infant born at 28 weeks gestational age with severe hydrops fetalis caused by anti-E alloimmunization.