Hydrops fetalis, or hydrops, is a condition that occurs when large amounts of fluid build up in a baby’s tissues and organs causing extreme swelling. Patients with hydrops fetalis are treated through the Thalassemia Program at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, an integrated pediatric hematology and oncology partnership between Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital.
- Hydrops fetalis can be life-threatening.
- There are two types of hydrops fetalis, immune and non-immune.
- Immune hydrops fetalis is no longer common in the United States.
- Non-immune hydrops fetalis occurs in one of every 1,000 births in the United States.
- Hydrops fetalis can be diagnosed before or after birth.
- Treatment of hydrops fetalis depends on its cause.
- About half of unborn babies with hydrops fetalis do not survive.