Heart Poblems of Newborns with Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To understand the pathophysiology of nonimmune hydrops fetalis, retrospective study was achieved. We evaluated cardiac anomalies and heart functions of newborns with nonimmune hydrops fetalis admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on the newborn diagnosed as nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) between January 1995 and December 2005. To analyze cardiac structures and heart functions of the study population, echocardiographic data were used that carried out within 2 days after birth. RESULTS: During the study period, 29 newborns (18 males and 11 females; mean birth weight 2,877 g; mean gestational age 34.4 weeks) were identified as NIHF. There were 15 cases of structural cardiac anomaly, 5 cases of cardiomegaly, 2 cases of arrhythmia and one case of pericardial effusion. Among those patent ductus arteriosus were observed in 12 cases and there were 10 cases of patent foramen ovale (PFO) or atrial septal defect. Ebstein's anomaly with PFO and atrioventricular septal defect was one case respectively. Most cases appeared hypoalbuminemia and anemia. Difference of heart functions between neonatal survival group and neonatal death group had no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Because there was no significant difference in cardiac function between neonatal survival group and neonatal death group, simple decline of the heart function is not sufficient for the explanation of pathophysiologic mechanisms. Nevertheless, NIHF remains a challenging entity to improve perinatal outcome.