Clinical outcomes of thoracentesis for severe primary fetal pleural effusion.

Abstract

To investigate the prenatal diagnosis of severe primary fetal hydrothorax and the clinical outcome after intrauterine thoracentesis. A total of 12 patients with severe PFHT and thoracentesis, who were admitted to Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from January 2016 to December 2018, were enrolled. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Five cases were bilateral pleural effusion, 6 on the right side, and 1 on the left side. All cases were accompanied with polyhydramnios, 4 cases with ascites, and 3 cases with skin edema. Ten patients underwent 1 thoracentesis puncture, 1 case for twice, and 1 case for 5 times. Hydrothorax test results of all cases were consistent with primary pleural effusion. Three patients underwent labor induction, 4 of 9 live births had mild asphyxia, 8 required respiratory support, and 7 needed the closed thoracic drainage. All children were fed with medium-chain fatty acid milk powder. Thoracentesis is one of the measures for intrauterine intervention in severe PFHT, which can improve the prognosis of children. Respiratory support, closed thoracic drainage, medium-chain fatty acid feeding are given to newborn. After these treatments, the survival rate is high and the prognosis is good.