Antenatal shunting and outcomes in fetuses with non-immune hydrops fetalis

Hydrops fetalis is associated with high morbidity and perinatal mortality. The aim of our study was to compare the outcomes of infants who had non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) who did or did not undergo antenatal shunting.

Between January 2014 and June 2023, 20 infants with the diagnosis of NIHF were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The criteria for antenatal shunt placement were development of hydrops fetalis, polyhydramnios due to oesophageal compression by a pleural effusion that would likely result in preterm labour or a large pleural effusion (no hydrops at presentation) resulting in likely inferior vena cava compression and significant risk of development of hydrops.

The 20 infants had a median gestational age of 34 (27-40) weeks of gestation at delivery and were diagnosed at a median gestational age of 29 (17-40) weeks. Eight infants had a shunt inserted antenatally (six pleuro amniotic and two abdominal amniotic) and they delivered at a significantly later median gestational age (36 vs. 32.5 weeks, p=0.025). After adjustment for gestational age at delivery and antenatal severity, those who had a shunt placed were not more likely to be oxygen dependent at 36 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) and had a lower length of stay (23 vs. 95 days, p=0.019).

Infants who had NIHF and had antenatal shunting had favourable outcomes compared to those who did not, despite a more severe antenatal presentation.