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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound (30/45MHZ) System
Published on: May 5, 2018
Nonimmune hydrops fetalis diagnosed during the second half of pregnancy in Southern China
Can Liao1, Jiaxue Wei, Qiuming Li
1Prenatal Diagnostic Center, Guangzhou Maternal and Neonatal Hospital, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
Objective:
To analyze the etiologies of nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) for a southern section of China.
Methods:
138 cases of NIHF presenting after 20 weeks' gestation over a 10-year period were reviewed.
Results:
The causes of fetal hydrops were identified in 92.0%. Homozygous alpha-thalassemia dominated as the cause of NIHF (55.1%), followed by infection (15.2%) and structural abnormalities (10.9%). No obvious cause was identified in 11 cases (8.0%). Termination of pregnancy was performed in 131 cases.
Conclusions:
Homozygous alpha-thalassemia is the most common cause of NIHF in southern China. An effective prenatal thalassemia screening program should be established in this high prevalence region.