ABSTRACT
Objective To optimize the clinical managements of primary fetal hydrothorax(PFHT) fetus by comparing the perinatal survival rate of different prenatal treatments.Methods Totally 13 fetuses diagnosed with PFHT from July 2009 to December 2015 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University were collected and received prenatal expectant treatment, thoracocentesis (TC), and thoraco-amniotic shunting (TAS), respectively. The perinatal survival rate was compared among the three treatments. Results Among 13 fetuses of PFHT,pleural effusion was absorbed or remained stable in 2(2/13)cases,and progressed in 11(11/13) cases. Six cases received expectant treatment (2 cases had termination of pregnancy due to progressing effusion, 2 cases had term delivery, and 2 cases had intrauterine death); the perinatal survival rate was 2/6. Six cases received TC (2 cases had term delivery, 2 cases had preterm delivery,and 2 cases had termination of pregnancy due to progressing effusion),the perinatal survival rate was 4/6.One case received TC+TAS(term delivery),the perinatal survival rate was 1/1.The overall perinatal survival rate of prenatal intrauterine intervention was 5/7. Conclusions The clinical process of PFHT is changeable, and the pleural effusion will progress with gestational age. Intrauterine interventions could improve the perinatal survival rate.