Living with Hydrops fetalis
A serious condition in which fluid builds up in two or more areas of a baby's body before or just after birth.
Understanding Hydrops fetalis
There are two types, immune and nonimmune. Immune hydrops is a complication of severe Rh incompatibility, which destroys many red blood cells and causes swelling. Nonimmune hydrops happens when a condition disrupts the body's ability to manage fluid. Main causes are heart or lung problems, severe anemia (thalassemia), and genetic differences such as Turner syndrome. It is found during pregnancy.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Fluid in the belly (ascites)
- Neck differences
- Leaking small blood vessels (capillary leak)
- Small size for age during pregnancy
- Body-wide swelling
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include maternal-fetal medicine specialists and women’s reproductive health specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Fetal Health Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (pregnancy-related); Women’s reproductive health specialists (obstetricians / gynecologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Fetal Health Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Fetal Health Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The cause depends on the type. Immune hydrops comes from Rh incompatibility. Nonimmune hydrops can come from heart or lung problems, severe anemia (thalassemia), or genetic differences such as Turner syndrome.
Also known as: fetal anasarca; fetal hydrops; foetal anasarca; foetal hydrops; generalised foetal oedema; generalized fetal edema
Patient organizations
- Fetal Health FoundationHydrops fetalis · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Hydrops fetalis.
Explore research for Hydrops fetalis
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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