A case of non-immune hydrops fetalis with cystic hygroma complicated by intrauterine fetal death

Abstract

Hydrops fetalis refers to the excessive accumulation of fluid in the extracellular compartment of the fetus. Cystic hygroma is a congenital malformation of the cervical lymphatic system responsible for an accumulation of lymphatic fluid commonly in the retrocervical region. Cystic hygromas are most often associated with chromosomal abnormalities. When a cystic hygroma is diagnosed in utero, the fetal survival rate is only 2-6%. When hydrops fetalis is present with cystic hygroma, the mortality rate is close to 100%. We present here the case of a 23-year-old primigravida in whom an ultrasound performed at 17 weeks of amenorrhea revealed a posterior cervical cystic hygroma associated with hydrops fetalis, the evolution of which was marked by intrauterine fetal death two weeks later. Keywords: Hydrops fetalis, Cystic hygroma, Chromosomal abnormalities, Prenatal diagnosis.