Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
1989-8-1
pubmed:abstractText
Primary fetal hydrothorax presents a wide spectrum of severity ranging from small, harmless effusions, to life-threatening thoracic compression. To define natural history and management, we reviewed 32 cases seen at two large perinatal centers from 1980 to 1987. Spontaneous resolution of the effusions was seen in three fetuses, all of whom survived. Three fetuses were electively terminated. The overall mortality was 53%. In the 24 untreated fetuses, sex and the presence of polyhydramnios did not influence mortality, but hydrops, gestational age less than 35 weeks at delivery, and bilateral effusions were associated with a poor prognosis. Five fetuses underwent in utero decompression. In four, thoracentesis was performed, with rapid reaccumulation of the effusion. All four died from pulmonary insufficiency. In the fifth fetus, a thoracoamniotic shunt permanently decompressed the effusion, with resolution of the hydrops, and delivery of a normal viable infant. We conclude that (1) primary fetal hydrothorax may resolve or progress to hydrops, necessitating close follow-up with ultrasound; (2) pulmonary hypoplasia as a result of undrained large pleural effusions may result in neonatal mortality; (3) the gestational age at both diagnosis and delivery, the development of hydrops, and bilaterality of effusions are important prognostic predictors; and (4) the fetus with large effusions and hydrops has a poor prognosis, and thoracic decompression with a thoracoamniotic shunt may prove life saving.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0022-3468
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
24
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
573-6
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1989
pubmed:articleTitle
Primary fetal hydrothorax: natural history and management.
pubmed:affiliation
Fetal Treatment Program, UCSF 94143-0510.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article