PULMONARY CAUSES OF FETAL HYDROPS

1. Cystic adenomatoid malformation (1,2).
2. Pulmonary lymphangiectasia.
3. Pulmonary hypoplasia.
4. Congenital chylothorax.
5. Mediastinal teratoma.
6. Extralobar pulmonary sequestration.
7. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
8. Pulmonary arterio-venous fistulae.

Fetuses with hydrops secondary to lung masses are at a very high risk of neonatal death. Without hydrops, the chances for survival are considerable better (92% versus 21% survival in cases of cystic adenomatoid malformation without and with hydrops in one series) (2).

REFERENCES

1. Barret J, Chitayat D, Sermer M et.al. The prognostic factors in the prenatal diagnosis of the echogenic fetal lung. Prenat Diagn 1995;15:849.
2. Thorpe-Beeston JG, Nicolaides KH. Cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung: Prenatal diagnosis and outcome. Prenat Diagn 1994;14:677.