Authors

• Elahe Amini ¹
• Zahra Farahani ¹
• Parvin Akbari Asbagh ¹
• Tahere Esmaiil nia ¹
• Sedighe Borna ¹
• Saiid Mohammad-ali Poor Kenari ¹
• Mohaddese Fallahi ²

¹ Maternal _ Fetal & Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.

² Breast Feeding Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction
Hydrops Fetalis is a serious condition in fetal period, characterized by the presence of serous fluid accumulation in at least two potential spaces in fetus including pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, and ascites. The incidence of hydrops fetalis is one per 2500-3000 pregnancies. This condition is followed by different diseases. Fetal hemolytic anemia and its hypoxemia due to hydrops fetalis are potentially life or function threatening. Mortality rate is 50-90%; this poor prognosis is improving with advances in prenatal and medical treatment.                  
Methods and Materials
This study performed on patients’ records with hydrops fetalis diagnosis in one of the neonatal referral and academic center, Vali-e-Asr Hospital Tehran, the capital of Iran from 2003 to 2010. Etiology, prognosis, and frequency of Hydrops fetalis in newborns were evaluated.
Results
Out of 10878 cases, 0.35% was born with hydrops fetalis:18.42% immune [Rh incompatibility  (%85.71), Kell antigen system(%14.29) ] and 81.58% non-immune.
Conclusion
The rate of hydrops due to Rh incompatibility is significant in our center (85.71%), however, it is unusual in most of medical centers all over the world.

Keywords

• Immune causes
• Hydrops fetalis
• Non- immune causes