Fetal Edema
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Learn About Fetal Edema

What is the definition of Fetal Edema?
Fetal edema (abnormal fluid buildup), also known as hydrops fetalis, is a serious condition that causes body swelling in a fetus or newborn. There are two types of hydrops fetalis: immune and nonimmune. Immune hydrops fetalis is caused by a severe Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus. The mother has an Rh negative blood type that makes antibodies that attack the fetus’ Rh positive blood cells and destroys them leading to severe swelling that affects the fetal organs. Nonimmune hydrops fetalis is the more common type (90%), which occurs when the fetus or newborn has a disease or medical condition, such as heart or lung disorders, severe anemia, blood conditions or infections, or genetic or developmental problems. Hydrops fetalis can be mild or severe.
What are the symptoms of Fetal Edema?
Symptoms of mild forms of hydrops fetalis include swelling of the liver and pale skin. Symptoms of the more severe forms include total body swelling, breathing difficulties, bruising, severe anemia and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes), and heart failure.
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What are the current treatments for Fetal Edema?
Treatment for hydrops fetalis depends on the cause. During pregnancy, intrauterine blood transfusions may be given, or early delivery may be warranted. Treatment for the newborn with immune hydrops fetalis may include exchange transfusions to eliminate the mother’s antibodies that are destroying the baby’s red blood cells, fluid removal (aspiration), diuretics and heart medications, and mechanical ventilation. In severe cases of Rh incompatibility, a form of brain damage known as kernicterus may occur as well as developmental delays. However, prevention of Rh incompatibility can be effected with the administration of RhoGAM to the mother both during and after pregnancy.
Who are the top Fetal Edema Local Doctors?
Mary E. Norton
Elite in Fetal Edema
Neonatology | Medical Genetics
Elite in Fetal Edema
Neonatology | Medical Genetics

Center For Complex Obstetric Medicine

1825 Fourth St., Third Floor, 
San Francisco, CA 
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients

Dr. Mary E. Norton is a perinatologist and clinical geneticist who cares for pregnant patients who have a fetus with a birth defect or genetic disorder or are at risk for such a condition. She performs obstetric ultrasounds, counsels patients with abnormal ultrasounds and performs prenatal tests like amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. She also interprets complex genetic tests, especially when abnormalities are found. Norton's areas of interest in research include applying new genetic tests to prenatal diagnosis and fetal disease, as well as patient decision-making around genetic testing and obstetrical ultrasound. She is co-director of the Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine at UCSF, as well as the David E. Thorburn, M.D. and Kate McKee Thorburn Endowed Chair in Perinatal Medicine and Genetics at UCSF. Norton earned her medical degree at the University of Washington. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Tufts University followed by a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine and clinical genetics at UCSF. After several years at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, she returned to San Francisco and joined UCSF Medical Center in 1998. Dr. Norton is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fetal Edema. Her top areas of expertise are Fetal Edema, Hydrops Fetalis, Alpha Thalassemia, and Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn.

Teresa N. Sparks
Elite in Fetal Edema
Elite in Fetal Edema

Center For Complex Obstetric Medicine

1825 Fourth St., Third Floor, 
San Francisco, CA 
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients

Dr. Teresa N. Sparks is an obstetrician who specializes in maternal-fetal medicine, managing the health concerns of both mother and fetus through all stages of pregnancy. She cares for women with high-risk pregnancies and those who are considering a high-risk pregnancy. She also specializes in clinical genetics, addressing genetic conditions that affect a woman or baby during pregnancy. Sparks' research investigates the causes of nonimmune hydrops fetalis, a complication of pregnancy that occurs when excessive fluid accumulates in the fetus. Her work focuses on identifying the condition's genetic causes, with the goal of developing more targeted approaches to care both before and after birth. Sparks earned her medical degree at UCSF. She completed a residency through the obstetrics and gynecology program of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. She then completed a combined fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine and clinical genetics at UCSF. Sparks is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and American Medical Association. Dr. Sparks is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fetal Edema. Her top areas of expertise are Fetal Edema, Hydrops Fetalis, Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn, and Alpha Thalassemia.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Fetal Edema
Elite in Fetal Edema
Naples, IT 

Immacolata Andolfo practices in Naples, Italy. Ms. Andolfo is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Fetal Edema. Her top areas of expertise are Anemia, Dehydrated Hereditary Stomatocytosis, Hydrops Fetalis, Fetal Edema, and Splenectomy.

What are the latest Fetal Edema Clinical Trials?
Whole Exome Sequencing and Whole Genome Sequencing for Nonimmune Fetal/Neonatal Hydrops

Summary: Brief Summary: Nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) is a potentially fatal condition characterized by abnormal fluid accumulation in two or more fetal compartments. Numerous etiologies may lead to NIHF, and the underlying cause often remains unclear (1). The current standard of genetic diagnostic testing includes a fetal karyotype and chromosomal microarray (CMA), with an option to pursue single gene ...

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Feasibility of In-utero Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation as a Conjunctive Treatment During In-utero Blood Transfusion for Hemoglobin Bart's Hydrops Fetalis Syndrome in Hong Kong

Summary: This is a prospective observational pilot study on pregnant women who are diagnosed to have Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome (BHFS) affected fetuses and opt for continuation of pregnancy will be invited to consider undergoing in-utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation under a research protocol, aiming to determine whether in-utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for fetuses wit...