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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
Published on: March 12, 2020
Prenatal diagnosis and natural history of fetuses presenting with pleural effusion
Rodrigo Ruano1, Alan Saito Ramalho, Ana Karina Silva Cardoso
1Obstetrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil. rodrigoruano@hotmail.com
Objective:
To describe the natural history of fetuses presenting with pleural effusion.
Methods:
Between January 2005 and December 2009 all fetuses diagnosed with pleural effusion were followed up. Fetuses were divided into three groups: I, isolated pleural effusion; II, associated structural anomalies but normal karyotype; and III, chromosomal anomalies. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the association between prenatal ultrasound findings and perinatal death.
Results:
Fifty-six fetuses were included in the study. Associated structural or chromosomal anomalies occurred in 75.0% (42/56) of cases. Bilateral pleural effusion and fetal hydrops were associated with each other (p < 0.01) and with perinatal death (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that only the presence of associated abnormalities was a statistical determinant of perinatal death (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.48-5.64; p < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Fetal pleural effusion is often associated with other abnormalities, and this association has poor perinatal outcome.
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