The state of certain infants severely affected by hemolytic disease. Fluid accumulates in the body cavities, especially in the peritoneal and pleural cavities, and the liver becomes enlarged: these are features of chronic heart failure due to profound anemia. Repeated intrauterine transfusions into the fetal peritoneum during pregnancy have saved some infants in whom hydrops fetalis was predicted.
The clinical condition in infants with cardiac decompensation and hepatosplenomegaly, respiratory distress, and circulatory distress. This may be caused by erythroblastosis fetalis; infections; tumors; pulmonary, hepatic, or renal disease; diabetes mellitus; Gaucher’s disease; or multiple congenital anomalies.
A medical condition characterized by the excessive buildup of fluids in a fetus or newborn, resulting in swollen arms and legs, as well as respiratory difficulties.
Hydrops fetalis refers to a severe condition where swelling of the body tissues occurs in a fetus before birth, often resulting from Rhesus incompatibility. When expectant mothers have this incompatibility, extra ultrasound scanning might be conducted to identify any swelling. This helps doctors decide if any treatment will be required for the unborn child.