INTRODUCTION: The management of primary fetal pleural effusion remains a challenge for clinicians given the paucity of clinical information to guide practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study of cases referred for management to our fetal therapy center over a 10-year period. Survival to hospital discharge was evaluated against case characteristics and prenatal intervention. For this study, we categorized the severity of the pleural effusion at diagnosis as mild, moderate or severe, and the clinical course as regression, stable or progression. RESULTS: Forty-five of the 103 pregnancies complicated by fetal pleural effusions during the study period were managed for primary effusions. Termination of pregnancy was requested in 6 cases. Thirty-nine pregnancies continued management, with 14 undergoing prenatal intervention. The overall survival rate to hospital discharge was 51%, including 7 survivors after prenatal intervention. The rate of survival was low if the effusion was categorized as severe at diagnosis or if there was progression of the clinical course. CONCLUSIONS: Case characteristics at the time of diagnosis and clinical course can be used to guide patient counseling and decision-making regarding fetal therapy. Prenatal intervention may improve the chance of survival in cases with characteristics associated with a poor prognosis.
INTRODUCTION: The management of primary fetal pleural effusion remains a challenge for clinicians given the paucity of clinical information to guide practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study of cases referred for management to our fetal therapy center over a 10-year period. Survival to hospital discharge was evaluated against case characteristics and prenatal intervention. For this study, we categorized the severity of the pleural effusion at diagnosis as mild, moderate or severe, and the clinical course as regression, stable or progression. RESULTS: Forty-five of the 103 pregnancies complicated by fetal pleural effusions during the study period were managed for primary effusions. Termination of pregnancy was requested in 6 cases. Thirty-nine pregnancies continued management, with 14 undergoing prenatal intervention. The overall survival rate to hospital discharge was 51%, including 7 survivors after prenatal intervention. The rate of survival was low if the effusion was categorized as severe at diagnosis or if there was progression of the clinical course. CONCLUSIONS: Case characteristics at the time of diagnosis and clinical course can be used to guide patient counseling and decision-making regarding fetal therapy. Prenatal intervention may improve the chance of survival in cases with characteristics associated with a poor prognosis.