[Mirror pre-eclampsia: Ballantyne's syndrome. Two cases]

We report two cases of Ballantyne's syndrome which was first described in association with foeto-placental hydrops caused by rhesus isoimmunization. Our two cases occurred in association with materno-fetal parvovirus infection. Although the pathogenic mechanism remains to be fully elucidated, fluid retention and hyperplacentation are the main features. Together with these two case reports, a literature review confirmed the diverse nonimmunological etiologies associated with Ballantyne's syndrome. Clinicians should be aware of this particular presentation of hydrops fetalis resulting from a mechanism different from hypotrophic placentation because specific etiological treatment can avoid unnecessary pregnancy termination. Pre-conception counselling is also different.