Ultrasonic detection of maternal ascites in patients with severe pre-eclampsia.

Ultrasonography is a reliable method in the detection of free fluid in the abdomen. In 2 patients with severe pre-eclampsia, maternal ascites was diagnosed by ultrasound. Both babies were delivered prematurely by Caesarean section, indicated by deteriorating maternal condition. One of the babies died in the early neonatal period. The sonologist should be aware of the possible presence of peritoneal free fluid in patients with severe pre-eclampsia, and be able to demonstrate this accordingly in the ultrasonogram.