Midtrimester thoracoamniotic shunting for the treatment of fetal hydrops.

The management of fetal hydrops in the second trimester is changing as the underlying etiologies are better understood. We report a case which was diagnosed at 18 weeks gestation. There was no underlying anatomical abnormality. Fetal blood sampling confirmed a normal karyotype and there was no evidence of fetal infection. Bilateral thoracocentesis and paracentesis caused temporary improvement of the fetal condition but subsequent fluid reaccumulation was noted within the left pleural cavity. A pleuroamniotic shunt inserted at 22 weeks caused permanent resolution of the hydrops. The infant was normal at 1-year follow-up.