Extracorporeal life support for nonimmune hydrops fetalis

A Down syndrome female born at 35 wk estimated gestational age with non-immune hydrops fetalis associated with a complete atrioventricular septal defect and large patent ductus arteriosus with hypoxemia, severe anasarca and hypotension was treated successfully with extracorporeal life support for severe cardiopulmonary failure leading to eventual hospital discharge and elective repair of her cardiac defect. The case demonstrates that extracorporeal life support may be an effective therapy when initiated early in patients with non-immune hydrops fetalis associated with significant cardiac abnormalities.