OBJECTIVES

The objectives were (1) to identify the causes for hydrops fetalis neonates admitted for neonatal intensive care with the diagnosis of hydrops fetalis and (2) to identify the risk factors associated with death.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a large national data set was performed.

RESULTS

There were a total of 253,651 discharges from 162 NICUs in the database; 598 patients were identified with a report of hydrops fetalis. The most common associated diagnoses were congenital heart problems (13.7%), abnormalities in heart rate (10.4%), twin-to-twin transfusion (9%), congenital anomalies (8.7%), chromosomal abnormalities (7.5%), congenital viral infections (6.7%), congenital anemia (5%), and congenital chylothorax (3.2%). Of those 598 neonates, 115 were transferred either to another hospital or to another service, 215 died before discharge, and 267 were discharged from the hospital. One patient did not have a discharge type listed and was not included in the outcome analysis. Mortality rates were highest among neonates with congenital anomalies (57.7%) and lowest among neonates with congenital chylothorax (5.9%). Factors that were associated independently with death in logistic regression analyses were younger gestational age, low 5-minute Apgar score, and need for high levels of support during the first day after birth (higher levels of inspired oxygen support and more often treated with high-frequency ventilation).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of death among neonates with hydrops fetalis depends on the underlying diagnosis and is highest for those who are born more prematurely and those who are most ill immediately after birth. Information from this large study should prove useful for planning prospective studies and providing prenatal counseling to parents with an affected fetus.