Aspiration of fetal pleural effusions or ascites may improve neonatal resuscitation.

In cases complicated by massive pleural effusions and/or fetal ascites, marked neonatal respiratory embarrassment may occur. Fetal centesis done just before delivery is useful in improving resuscitative efforts. Four cases in which the fetus had massive pleural effusions and/or ascites were managed by fetal centesis before delivery. All babies were easily resuscitated and survived the neonatal period. Fetal centesis should be considered immediately before delivery to improve resuscitative efforts and ultimately survival when significant neonatal respiratory compromise is likely to occur due to pleural effusions and/or ascites.