Nonimmunologic hydrops fetalis.

Eight cases of nonimmunologic hydrops fetalis (HF) were seen at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center over a 3.5-year period. The etiology of the HF included 2 cases of fetal-maternal hemorrhage and 1 each of sacral teratoma, tachyarrhythmia, diaphragmatic hernia, neuroblastoma, and heart disease. For 1 infant, the cause was never found. These cases involved various diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. Only 4 were anticipated ant partum by ultrasound scanning. Two of the 8 fetuses died in utero, whereas 4 others died in the neonatal period. Earlier diagnosis and evaluation are likely to improve these outcomes.