After adjusting for severity of hydrops and gestational age in a series of fetuses, Fairley et al7 concluded that intrauterine transfusion resulted in a 7.1-fold reduction in fetal death. With such a narrow time frame, expectant management does not seem to offer much of a safety margin. Although the survey had a potential for bias, it seems unlikely that the fetuses who did not undergo transfusion were inherently sicker than those who did. Consequently, we believe that once fetal hydrops develops, it is prudent to offer intrauterine transfusion or refer the patient to a center where it is available. Am J Obstet Gynecol.
Nonimmunologic hydrops fetalis.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. Watson J, Campbell S. Antenatal evaluation and management in nonimmune hydrops fetalis. Fetal Diagn Ther. J Matern Fetal Med. Fairley CK, Smoleniec JS, Caul OE, Miller E. Observational study of effect of intrauterine transfusions on outcome of fetal hydrops after parvovirus B19 infection.