Case Report
Year: 2014 | Month: February | Volume: 4 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 202-206
Foetal Autopsy in Hydrops Fetalis
Nagarekha Kulkarni
Professor, Department of Pathology, Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences, Bellary, Karnataka, India.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Hydrops fetalis is a condition in the fetus characterized by an abnormal collection of fluid beneath the skin, pleura, pericardium and abdomen.
Case Report: This case report presents the fetal autopsy in hydrops fetalis of 20 weeks gestation. Mother gives history of consanguineous marriage, negative for antibody screening test and viral infections.
Procedure: Foetus of 20 weeks gestation with placenta and attached umbilical cord was received in the Pathology Department. A Y shaped incision was taken. The skin was stretched as in adult autopsy. Thorax and abdomen were opened in layers. Fluid was noted in thoracic and abdomen cavity amounting to 2cc and 6cc respectively. Fluid was also noted in the subcutaneous tissue. All the organs were removed and examined histopathologically. Final impression was male foetus with 20 weeks of gestation associated with non-immune hydrops foetalis and without any congenital anomalies.
Conclusion: To conclude a post-mortem evaluation should be performed in all cases of hydrops that result in neonatal death. A combined approach of a thorough antenatal assessment and autopsy may be more likely to determine the cause of non-immune hydrops.
Key words: consanguineous, nonimmune, immune.