Endocardial fibrosis and hydrops fetalis in a premature infant

We describe a premature neonate with endocardial fibrosis associated with hydrops fetalis. The infant did not have any other cardiac disorder and expired with congestive heart failure when five days old. Endocardial fibroelastosis has been previously described in neonates but is rare and is usually associated with other cardiac malformations. In only two previous reports was endocardial fibroelastosis associated with hydrops and in both of these cases there were also valvular deformities. We also discuss the possible significance of this association.