Intrauterine treatment on non-immune hydrops fetalis.

In 51 cases with non-immunologic hydrops fetalis (NIHF), perinatal management was performed based on our protocol. Twenty-two cases were treated by albumin and/or packed red cell (PRC) injection into the fetal abdominal cavity, and 9 cases by transplacental digitalization. Among the cases treated by albumin and/or PRC injection, 6 of 8 cases without pleural effusion recovered in utero, and all 6 cases are alive. However, of 14 cases with pleural effusion, none recovered in utero, and only one case is alive. Of 9 cases treated by transplacental digitalization, 2 cases recovered in utero, and only one case is alive. All fetuses with congenital heart anomaly died. This evidence indicates that albumin and/or PRC injection into the fetal abdominal cavity is an effective procedure for in utero treatment of NIHF without pleural effusion, but suggests that in NIHF resulting from either congenital heart anomaly and/or heart failure, the survival rate may not be increased by transplacental digitalization.     

Mid-term follow-up of neonatal pleural effusion

Objectives

To investigate the clinical course and mid-term prognosis of neonates admitted with pleural effusion.

Methods

Case records of 38 neonates admitted with pleural effusion were retrieved and analyzed.

Results

16 (42%) patients had congenital and 22 (58%) patients had acquired causes of pleural effusion. The most common causes of congenital pleural effusion and acquired pleural effusion were chylothorax (18%) and congestive heart failure (13%), respectively. Poorer outcome was observed with fetal hydrops, preterm birth (<34 weeks) and associated defects.

Conclusions

Most of the neonates with pleural effusion have good outcome in the mid-term follow-up.     

Successful pleurodesis with OK-432 in preterm infants with persistent pleural effusion

OK-432 (picibanil) is an inactivated preparation of Streptococcus pyogenes that causes pleurodesis by inducing a strong inflammatory response. Intrapleural instillation of OK-432 has recently been used to successfully treat neonatal and fetal chylothorax. Here we report a trial of intrapleural instillation of OK-432 in two preterm infants who were born with hydrops fetalis and massive bilateral pleural effusion. Both cases showed persistent pleural effusion, refractory to conservative treatment, up to postnatal days 26 and 46, respectively. An average of 80 to 140 mL of pleural fluid was drained daily. In case 1, the infant was treated with OK-432 during the fetal period at gestation 28 weeks and 4 days of gestation, but showed recurrence of pleural effusion and progressed into hydrops. Within two to three days after OK-432 injection, the amount of pleural fluid drainage was dramatically decreased and there was no reaccumulation. We did not observe any side effects related to OK-432 injection. We suggest that OK-432 should be considered as a therapeutic option in infants who have persistent pleural effusion for more than four weeks, with the expectation of the early removal of the chest tube and a good outcome.     

北京儿童医院住院儿童胸腔积液病因分析

目的探讨北京儿童医院住院儿童胸腔积液的病因。方法收集2016年1月至2018年12月首都医科大学附属北京儿童医院收治住院的胸腔积液患儿的临床资料。根据病因将患儿分为感染组(肺炎旁胸腔积液、结核性胸膜炎及脓胸)及非感染组,同时按照年龄进一步分为≤3岁、>3~7岁和>7岁组,分类统计,回顾分析胸腔积液患儿的病因。结果 1 165例胸腔积液患儿中,感染性胸腔积液746例(64.0%),其中肺炎旁胸腔积液697例(697/746例,93.4%)。肺炎旁胸腔积液中肺炎支原体感染457例(61.3%)。感染性胸腔积液多见于7岁以上儿童(339/479例,70.8%),非感染性胸腔积液主要见于3岁以下儿童(188/324例,58.0%),二者比较差异有统计学意义(χ²=96.33,P<0.05)。非感染性胸腔积液419例(36.0%),其中多系统疾病239例(57.0%)、恶性胸腔积液97例(23.2%)。18例死亡患儿均为非感染性胸腔积液者。结论儿童胸腔积液的主要病因为感染,感染中最多见的为肺炎旁胸腔积液,主要病原为肺炎支原体。     

Significance of pleural effusion in neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND: Pleural effusion is uncommon at diagnosis of neuroblastoma in children. Because the presence of malignant cells in pleural fluid may significantly change the management and outcome of patients with neuroblastoma, we retrospectively analyzed a cohort of neuroblastoma patients who presented with pleural effusion at the time of diagnosis to determine the incidence, presentation, stage, treatment, and outcome of these patients. METHODS: We reviewed the presenting features of 295 patients with the diagnosis of neuroblastoma who received treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1991 and 2005. Patients were chosen for further analysis if pleural effusion had been identified on chest radiographs or computed tomography (CT) scans at diagnosis RESULTS: Thirty-one out of 295(10.5%) patients with neuroblastoma had pleural effusion identified at time of presentation. International neuroblastoma staging system (INSS) risk stratification was high risk in 29 cases and intermediate risk and low risk in 1 case each. The primary site of disease was abdomen in 26 patients; mediastinum in 5. We conducted cytologic analysis of pleural fluid of nine patients; the specimen of seven contained malignant cells. Eighteen of 31 patients died of progressive or recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: In patients with neuroblastoma, pleural effusion is usually associated with unfavorable biologic features and high-risk disease. Pleural fluid should be examined cytologically and at a time when the results would change the risk stratification. There was no statistically significant difference in the survival rate of the patients with high-risk neuroblastoma with or without malignant pleural effusion.     

Perinatal outcome following conservative management of mid-trimester pre-labour rupture of the membranes

To assess perinatal outcome and the effect of antenatal steroid use following conservative management of 86 consecutive singleton pregnancies complicated by pre-labour rupture of membranes (ROM) in the mid-trimester (13–26 weeks; mean 22.8 weeks).

Methodology:

Review of obstetric and neonatal case notes between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1993.

Results:

The duration of ruptured membranes (latent period) ranged from 1.25 to 105 days (mean 23.8 days; median 14 days) and was inversely related to gestational age at ROM. There was clinical evidence of chorioamnionitis in 39.5% with placental histological changes consistent with chorioamnionitis in 76.6%. All infants were delivered before 33 weeks gestation (mean 26 weeks). Overall, the mortality rate was 43.0% but 62.5% in infants with ROM before 24 completed weeks gestation. Adverse outcome (defined as death, severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) or periventricular leucomalacia (PVL)) occurred in 46.5% and was significantly related to both gestation at delivery and gestation at ROM. In the group ( n = 40) with ROM before 24 weeks gestation, adverse outcome occurred in 65% and was inversely related to gestation at ROM independent of gestation at delivery. Antenatal steroid administration resulted in less adverse outcome independent of gestation at delivery (OR 0.31; 95% CI (0.09–0.98; P = 0.046)).

Conclusion:

From the neonatal perspective conservative management is justified for pregnancies with ROM at or after 24 weeks gestation; in this group the use of antenatal steroids prior to delivery may improve perinatal outcome. A poor outcome is associated with ROM that occurs before 24 weeks gestation.     

Short-term and long-term outcomes of 214 cases of non-immune hydrops fetalis

Despite advances in diagnosis and management, non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) has a high mortality rate. Perinatal survival depends on the underlying disorder and the gestational age at diagnosis. As prognostic information is limited, this study acquired data regarding the neurological development of perinatal survivors.We performed a retrospective chart review of 214 cases in which NIHF was diagnosed antenatally. We recorded maternal demographic characteristics and interventions and their effectiveness, as well as the short-term outcome (survival) and long-term outcome including developmental quotients. Among the affected fetuses, 91 (42.5%) survived the perinatal period. Fetuses with chylothorax, chyloascites, or meconium peritonitis, and those in whom therapy was effective, had high survival rates irrespective of the type of intrauterine intervention. The subsequent intact survival rate was 28/56 (50.0%), with intact defined as ratio of the number of infants with normal development to the number of all infants followed. In contrast to the perinatal survival rate, the intact survival rate decreased as gestational age at diagnosis advanced. These findings suggest that the long-term intact survival rate depends on the underlying cause of NIHF. Additionally, while survival was improved with intensive perinatal care during the perinatal period, aggressive perinatal intervention was not a prognostic factor for neurological outcome.     

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis part II: does etiology influence mortality?

Hydrops fetalis is a condition in which there is an excess of total body fluid, primarily within the fetal interstitial spaces. Etymologically, hydrops fetalis is a Latin term meaning "edema of the fetus." In addition to generalized edema, the fetus has at least one of the following: ascites, pericardial effusion, pleural effusion(s), and an abnormally thick (>6 cm) placenta. Hydrops is classified as nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) when it occurs without evidence of isoimmunization.     

非免疫性胎儿水肿新生儿的临床特征及预后分析

目的 分析非免疫性胎儿水肿（NIHF）新生儿的临床特征、病因及转归情况。方法 回顾性分析23例NIHF新生儿的临床资料及转归。结果 23例NIHF患儿中,早产儿18例（78%）,足月儿5例（22%）;出生窒息12例（52%）,其中重度窒息6例。NIHF病因包括双胎输血综合征（TTTS）8例（35%）,心血管畸形3例（13%）,微小病毒B19感染3例（13%）,先天性乳糜胸2例（9%）,Turner综合征1例（4%）,柯萨奇病毒感染1例（4%）,病因不明5例（22%）。临床治愈13例（57%）,死亡10例,新生儿期病死率为43%。死亡组中早产儿、新生儿窒息、5分钟Apgar评分<8分及心力衰竭比例（分别为100%、100%、60%、60%）明显高于存活组（分别为62%、15%、8%、8%）（P < 0.05）。结论 NIHF新生儿易发生出生窒息;胎龄越小、窒息程度越重、合并心力衰竭者新生儿期死亡风险越大。TTTS中受血儿是NIHF的主要病因。     

Conservative use of chest-tube insertion in children with pleural effusion

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a more conservative use of chest-tube insertion on the short-term and long-term outcome of pleural infection. Sixty-five patients with pleural infection, aged 1 month to 16 years were each treated according to one of the two protocols: classical management with chest-tube insertion (classical group, n=33), or conservative use of chest-tube insertion (conservative group, n=32), with drainage indicated only in the case of voluminous pleural effusion defined by a mediastinal shift and respiratory distress and/or an uncontrolled septic situation. The two groups were comparable with regard to age, baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) value and white blood cell counts, pleural thickness, identified bacteria, and antibiotic treatment. Chest-tube insertion was performed in 17 patients (52%) of the classical group compared to eight patients (25%) of the conservative group (P=0.03). Duration of temperature above 39°C was shorter in the conservative group (10±1 vs. 14±1 days, P=0.01), as was the normalization of CRP (13±1 vs. 17±1 days, P=0.03). Duration of hospitalization and intravenous (IV) antibiotherapy as well as the delay of chest-radiograph normalization was not significantly different between the two groups. A more conservative use of chest-tube insertion did not change short- and long-term outcome of the pleural infection in children. Drainage could be restricted to the most severely affected patients with pleural empyema causing a mediastinal shift and respiratory distress and/or presenting with an uncontrolled septic situation.     

Fetal case of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung: fetal therapy and a review of the published reports in Japan

We herein report a case of type I congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAML) with non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF), a mediastinal shift and polyhydramnios diagnosed at 24 weeks' gestation by ultrasonography. The fetus was treated with a cyst-amniotic shunt at 29 weeks' gestation. Following a postnatal whole resection of the right lung, postpneumonectomy syndrome appeared and, as a result, the infant died 13 months after delivery due to respiratory failure. Only 19 cases demonstrating CCAML associated with NIHF have been reported previously in Japan. Four cases showed a spontaneous resolution of NIHF, while 5 cases with type I CCAML, which all underwent fetal intervention, demonstrated an excellent outcome.     

Community-acquired lobar pneumonia in children in the era of universal 7-valent pneumococcal vaccination: a review of clinical presentations and antimicrobial treatment from a Canadian pediatric hospital

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common cause of pediatric admission to hospital. The objectives of this study were twofold: 1) to describe the clinical characteristics of CAP in children admitted to a tertiary care pediatric hospital in the pneumococcal vaccination era and, 2) to examine the antimicrobial selection in hospital and on discharge. METHODS: A retrospective review of healthy immunocompetent children admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital from January 2007 to December 2008 with clinical features consistent with pneumonia and a radiographically-confirmed consolidation was performed. Clinical, microbiological and antimicrobial data were collected. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-five hospitalized children with pneumonia were evaluated. Mean age at admission was 4.8 years (range 0--17 years). Two thirds of patients had been seen by a physician in the 24 hours prior to presentation; 56 (41.5%) were on antimicrobials at admission. 52 (38.5%) of patients developed an effusion, and 22/52 (42.3%) had pleural fluid sampled. Of 117 children who had specimens (blood/pleural fluid) cultured, 9 (7.7%) had pathogens identified (7 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1 Group A Streptococcus, and 1 Rhodococcus). 55% of patients received 2 or more antimicrobials in hospital. Cephalosporins were given to 130 patients (96.1%) in hospital. Only 21/126 patients (16.7%) were discharged on amoxicillin. The median length of stay was 3 days (IQR 2--4) for those without effusion and 9 (IQR 5--13) for those with effusion. No deaths were related to pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides comprehensive data on the clinical characteristics of hospitalized children with CAP in the pneumococcal 7-valent vaccine era. Empiric antimicrobial choice at our institution is variable, highlighting a need for heightened antimicrobial stewardship.     

Fetal internal carotid and umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveforms as a measure of fetal well-being in intrauterine growth retardation

Maximal flow velocity waveforms were recorded on one occasion from the umbilical artery (UA) and fetal internal carotid artery (ICA) in 240 normal pregnancies and 44 cases of intrauterine growth retardation between 26 and 39 wk of gestation. In normal pregnancy the mean UA pulsatility index (PI) decreased from 1.14 (SD: +/- 0.13) at 26-27 wk of gestation to 0.78 (SD: +/- 0.15) at 38-39 wk. The corresponding decrease in ICA PI was from 1.63 (SD: +/- 0.19) to 1.31 (SD: +/- 0.21). Mean values of UA PI for normal pregnancies were linearly related to gestational age; for ICA PI this relation appeared to be quadratic. Normal limits according to age were constructed by estimated means +/- 2 SD. In intrauterine growth retardation, the UA PI was increased (greater than 2 SD) in 80% of cases, ICA PI was reduced (greater than 2 SD) in only 45%. The outcome of fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation, as expressed by fetal heart rate abnormality, Apgar score at 1 min, and umbilical cord pH, was significantly related to the UA PI but not to the ICA PI.     

儿童肺炎支原体性胸腔积液特点分析

目的探讨肺炎支原体性胸腔积液临床特点。方法回顾性分析肺炎旁胸腔积液(PPE)患儿的临床资料,比较支原体感染与非支原体感染患儿的差异,并对单因素分析中有统计学差异的指标行多因素logistic回归分析,绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,得出各指标的诊断界值及回归模型的诊断准确度。结果支原体感染与非支原体感染患儿的年龄、外周血白细胞数、血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、免疫球蛋白IgA及IgM,胸腔积液中多核粒细胞比例、葡萄糖及乳酸,以及胸腔积液纤维分隔形成、胸膜增厚的差异均有统计学意义(P均0.05);多因素logistic回归分析示,年龄、血清IgM及LDH,胸腔积液中乳酸(LAC)在支原体感染组及非支原体感染组间的差异也有统计学意义(P0.05),其诊断界值分别为ROC曲线下面积(AUC)=0.887(95%CI:0.830~0.944,P0.001)。结论对于病原不明确的PPE患儿,若存在年龄3.92岁,血清IgM1.29 g/L及LDH367 U/L,胸腔积液LAC4.02 mmol/L时,应高度怀疑支原体感染的可能。     

Transient periventricular echodensities (TPE) in preterm infants under 1500 gramms: an analysis of the outcome of the last 10 years

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to analyze neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with TPE. PATIENTS: 46 preterm infants with a birthweight (BW) < or = 1500 g were included in the study. They all had TPE in parieto-occipital location (some combined with frontal flares). Exclusion criteria were PVL II-IV, intraventricular hemorrhage, asphyxia and isolated frontal TPE. METHOD: We analyzed ultrasound scans (1992 - 2001) of patients with TPE (diameter > 1 cm, visible in both sagittal and coronal planes, duration > 7 days), and neurological follow-up visits (date of demission, corrected age of 4, 8, 12 months, and after that every 2 years until 6 years of age) regarding the neurodevelopmental outcome. We devided the patients in group 1 (duration of TPE 8 - 14 days) and group 2 (duration of TPE > 14 days) and then analyzed the groups regarding neurodevelopmental disorders and factors increasing the risk of occurrence of TPE. RESULTS: From 1992 - 2001 578 children < or = 1500 g were admitted at our department. 48 patients (8,3 %) fulfilled the entry criteria, 2 of them died, so 46 were included in the study. In group 1 (10 patients) the median gestational age (GA) was 28 weeks (range 25 - 31), median BW 1075 g (range 685 - 1430), 6 children were neurologically unimpaired, one developed a motor handicap, and 3 a psychomotor retardation. In group 2 (36 patients) the median GA was 28 weeks (range 25 - 35), median BW 1034,5 g (range 540 - 1470), 24 patients were neurologically unimpaired, 7 developed a motor handicap, and 5 a psychomotor retardation. No statistical difference was found between the groups neither in neurodevelopmental outcome nor factors increasing the risk of the occurrence of TPE. CONCLUSIONS: Obviously, the finding of TPE is of clinical relevance already at a duration of only 7 days regarding later neurological development.     

Survival of very low birthweight and very preterm infants in a geographically defined population

Objective : To determine in a geographically defined population 1 year survival of infants with a birthweight of less than 1500g or gestational age less than 32 weeks, and to establish the effect of postnatal age on predicted survival. Design : Cohort analysis of 72427 births to Welsh residents in 1993-94. Deaths were identified using the All Wales Perinatal Survey, a population-based surveillance of mortality between 20 weeks of gestation and 1 year of age. Main outcome measures : Birthweight- and gestation-specific infant mortality, and the effect of postnatal age, gender, and multiple pregnancy on predicted survival. Results : In normally formed infants 1 year survival at 24–25 weeks gestation was 35%, compared to 75% at 27–28 weeks, and 95% at 30–31 weeks. In infants with a birthweight of 500-699g 1 year survival was 18% compared to 70% at 800-999g, and 97% at 1300-1499g. The chances of survival improved markedly with increasing postnatal age; at 24–25 weeks gestation it was 35% at birth, 50% at 12 h, 66% at 7 days and 78% at 4 weeks. Infant mortality was higher in males, but multiple pregnancy had no effect. Conclusions : Up-to-date birthweight- and gestation-specific survival rates are essential for predicting the outcome of a newborn infant. The rapid change in the chances of survival with increasing postnatal age emphasises especially the importance of revising the prediction as the infant gets older, particularly during the first few days of life,     

Five‐year survival without major disability of extremely preterm infants born at 22–27 weeks’ gestation admitted to a NICU

Aim: To compare the 5‐year survival without major disability in infants born at the threshold of viability at 22–25 weeks who were actively treated in the delivery room and admitted to a NICU to that of those born at 26–27 weeks of gestation. Methods: All infants between 22⁺⁰ and 27⁺⁶ weeks of gestation admitted to a regional intensive care unit during 1999–2003 were enroled prospectively. The survival and major disability at 5 years of age were analysed by gestational age. Results: Of 242 treated infants, 202 survived (83.5%). Although the overall survival rate was significantly higher in the 25–27 weeks’ gestation infants than the 22–24 weeks’ gestation infants (p < 0.001), the survival rate among infants 22–24 weeks (63.6%, 63.6%, and 70%) did not significantly differ, likewise infants 25–27 weeks (88.7%, 90.6%, and 92%) had similar results. Overall, 28 children (14.4% of assessed) had major disability. Both survival and survival without major disability were positively influenced by increasing gestational age, increasing birth weight, being born at 25–27 weeks and being female child. Conclusion: With an active approach in treatment, the outcome of infants born at 25 weeks is comparable to those born at 26–27 weeks. Thus, the ‘grey zone’ in which the risk of adverse outcome is high narrows to 22–24 weeks.     

Defining the burden of pneumonia in children preventable by vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b

OBJECTIVES: To determine the burden of pneumonia requiring hospitalization in infants and young children preventable by vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). DESIGN: Vaccination centers in Santiago, Chile, were randomly selected to administer PRP-T, an Hib conjugate vaccine, combined with diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis (DTP) vaccine or DTP alone. SUBJECTS: Infants who received > or =2 doses of DTP or DTP and Hib conjugate vaccine combined. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pneumonia episodes leading to hospitalization accompanied by indicators of likely bacterial infection including radiologic evidence of alveolar consolidation or pleural effusion, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (> or =40 mm/h) or bronchial breath sounds on auscultation. RESULTS: In participants age 4 to 23 months, PRP-T reduced the incidence of pneumonia associated with alveolar consolidation or pleural effusion by 22% (95% confidence interval, -7 to 43) from 5.0 to 3.9 episodes per 1000 children per year. When the pneumonia case definition included any of the following, alveolar consolidation, pleural effusion, erythrocyte sedimentation rate > or =40 mm/h or bronchial breath sounds, PRP-T provided 26% protection (95% confidence interval, 7 to 44) and prevented 2.5 episodes per 1000 children per year. CONCLUSIONS: Hib vaccine provides substantial protection against nonbacteremic pneumonia, particularly those cases with alveolar consolidation, pleural effusion or other signs of likely bacterial infection. Hib vaccination prevented approximately 5 times as many nonbacteremic pneumonia cases in infants as meningitis cases, thus indicating that the largest part of the effect of Hib vaccination might be undetectable by routine culture methods.     

Congenital complete heart block in the fetus: hemodynamic features, antenatal treatment, and outcome in six cases

Congenital heart block (CHB) can result in intrauterine cardiac failure leading to fetal or neonatal loss. To establish perinatal hemodynamic factors which might predict adverse outcome, six fetuses with CHB diagnosed between 20 and 30 gestational weeks were examined by echocardiography at 2-week intervals. Neonatal morbidity and outcome in infancy are detailed. The fetuses showed a significant decrease in ventricular rate (VR) with advancing gestation (60 ± 7 vs 51 ± 4 beats/min, p= 0.03). Cardiac decompensation defined as hydrops or pericardial effusion was associated with VR of lower than 55 beats/min in two fetuses. Three mothers had a therapeutic trial with a sympathomimetic and digoxin. Salbutamol increased VR 10% in one of three fetuses treated. Digoxin decreased pericardial effusion in one hydropic fetus with autoimmune myocarditis. In this fetus, poor left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) was accompanied with high umbilical artery resistance index (RI). High amniotic fluid erythropoietin indicated severe hypoxia preceding death. Pacemaker was indicated in all the newborns. At the age of 2 weeks all the surviving infants had tricuspid regurgitation and a shunt through foramen ovale due to asynchronized atrioventricular contraction. During the 12-month follow-up two of five surviving infants had no symptoms. One had symptomatic neonatal lupus. Two infants had patent ductus arteriosus, one with dilated cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, poor fetal outcome was associated with low VR, low LVFS, and high RI. Despite early pacing, morbidity was high in infancy due to cardiomyopathy and associated heart defects. Regular echocardiographic monitoring during pregnancy and after delivery is required in order to optimize care and timing of any interventions.     

Pre- and postnatal treatment of a pulmonary sequestration presenting as a unilateral hydrothorax

We report a case of a neonatal sequestration diagnosed antenatally as a progressive left hydrothorax when ultrasound (US) was done at 30 weeks' gestation for polyhydramnios. Postnatal US and computed tomography failed to demonstrate any lesion; magnetic resonance imaging showed a spherical mass in the left chest adjacent to the left lower lobe. At the age of 4 weeks a thoracotomy was performed and the mass was excised. Pulmonary sequestrations may present with a pleural effusion and polyhydramnios as a part of non-immune hydrops fetalis. In our case hydrops was prevented by insertion of a pleuro-amniotic shunt.