Neonatal and Longterm outcome following intrauterine drainage of Congenital Hydrothorax (HT)

Background: Fetal HT increases mortality from pulmonary hypoplasia, hydrops and prematurity. Objective: Assess the impact of fetal therapy on outcome. Subjects: 21 fetuses received thoracocentesis, pleuroamniotic shunts or both. Results: 1 termination 45XO), 1 intrauterine death and 19 liveborn infants. 11 survived to discharge & 8 neonatal deaths - due to pulmonary hypoplasia (n:4), refractory chylothorax (n:1), respiratory failure (n:2), & sepsis (n:1). Overall mortality: 47.6%. On follow-up (4-59 mths) all survivors were well without significant respiratory or neurological sequelae.Table

Table 1

Conclusion: Fetal drainage for HT may improve outcome in selected cases.