A Case Report on Immune Hydrops Fetalis

The term hydrops fetalis comes from the Latin meaning oedema of the fetus [1]. Hydrops fetalis is a serious fetal condition when abnormal fluid collections are seen in any of the following two cavities e. g. , pleural cavity, abdominal cavity, pericardial cavity, subcutaneous tissue and soft tissues. It carries significant risks of stillbirth, preterm delivery, maternal illness, and serious illness or death for the newborn [2]. There are two types of hydrops fetalis: Immune hydrops fetalis (IHF) which accounts for 10 % and Non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) which accounts for 90 % [3]. Immune hydrops fetalis results from haemolysis from isoimmunisation. Individuals who lack a specific red cell antigen (most commonly Rh antigen) can potentially produce an antibody when exposed to that antigen and result in isoimmunisation causing hydrops in the future pregnancies. The relative incidence of hydrops foetalis has changed dramatically in the past 20 years due to prevention of immune related hydrops fetalis secondary to Rhesus isoimmunization by Rh anti D prophylaxis and with improved treatment and early diagnosis [4]. So, the incidence of NIHF is more than IHF.