Sometimes signs of infection causing Hydrops Fetalis can be seen on an ultrasound, like calcification in the brain, liver, or pericardium; microcephaly, cerebral ventriculomegaly; hepatospenomegaly; and also growth restriction.
There are some other infections that can cause Hydrops Fetalis...
Parvovirus B19 (or Fifth's Disease):
This is a common viral childhood illness that is highly contagious. This virus causes a rash on the cheeks of a child. They may have a low grade fever prior to the rash appearing, but these are usually the only symptoms. Once a person has had the virus they build a lifetime immunity (similar to the chicken pox). Even though children with the virus develop a rash on their cheeks, adults often have NO symptoms. A blood test is typically the only way to tell if you have had this virus recently.
To a child outside the womb this virus is harmless, but during pregnancy causes extreme anemia to the unborn baby. When a mother with no immunity is infected, the baby usually develops Hydrops Fetalis. The virus causes the destruction of the babies red blood cells, making the baby anemic. When this is the cause for Hydrops Fetalis there is treatment. The treatment is usually to correct the anemia with an Intrauterine blood transfusion (A amniocentesis procedure. Where a long needle is guided during an ultrasound to go into the baby's umbilical cord. A sample of blood is removed then new red blood cell rich blood is given to the baby through the umbilical cord).
other infections that can cause Hydrops Fetalis...
- Varicella
- Adenovirus
- Coxsackie virus
- Hepatitis B
- Syphilis
- Zika virus MAY also be a cause