Fetal Edema
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Fetal Edema Overview

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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?
Elite in Fetal Edema
Dr. Mary E. Norton
Neonatology | Medical Genetics
Elite in Fetal Edema
Dr. Mary E. Norton
Neonatology | Medical Genetics
Referral may be required

Center For Complex Obstetric Medicine

1825 Fourth St., Third Floor, 
San Francisco, CA 
415-353-3400
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients

Mary Norton is a Neonatologist and a Medical Genetics provider practicing medicine in San Francisco, California. Dr. Norton is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fetal Edema. She is also highly rated in 20 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Fetal Edema, Hydrops Fetalis, Alpha Thalassemia, and Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn. Dr. Norton is board certified in American Board Of Obstetrics And Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, American Board Of Medical Genetics And Genomics, Clinical Genetics And Genomics, and American Board Of Obstetrics And Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Dr. Norton is currently accepting new patients.

Elite in Fetal Edema
Elite in Fetal Edema
Referral may be required

Center For Complex Obstetric Medicine

1825 Fourth St., Third Floor, 
San Francisco, CA 
415-353-3400
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients

Teresa Sparks is a Neonatologist practicing medicine in San Francisco, California. Dr. Sparks is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fetal Edema. She is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Fetal Edema, Hydrops Fetalis, Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn, and Alpha Thalassemia. Dr. Sparks is board certified in American Board Of Obstetrics And Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, American Board Of OB/Gyn/Maternal & Fetal Medicine, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and American Board Of Medical Genetics And Genomics, Clinical Genetics And Genomics. Dr. Sparks is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Fetal Edema
Elite in Fetal Edema
Referral may be required

Rare Disease Institute

7125 13th Place Northwest, 
Washington, DC 
202-545-2100
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Offers Telehealth

Seth Berger is a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Berger is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Fetal Edema. He is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Fetal Edema, Hydrops Fetalis, Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn, and Mosaicism. Dr. Berger is board certified in Medical Biochemical Genetics: American Board Of Medical Genetics And Genomics, 2019, Pediatrics: American Board Of Pediatrics, 2016, and Clinical Genetics (MD): American Board Of Medical Genetics And Genomics, 2017.

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What are the latest Fetal Edema Clinical Trials?
Fetal Electrophysiologic Abnormalities in High-risk Pregnancies Associated With Fetal Demise
Fetal Electrophysiologic Abnormalities in High-risk Pregnancies Associated With Fetal Demise
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: March 04, 2026
Intervention Type: Diagnostic test, Genetic

Summary: Each year world-wide, 2.5 million fetuses die unexpectedly in the last half of pregnancy, 25,000 in the United States, making fetal demise ten-times more common than Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This study will apply a novel type of non-invasive monitoring, called fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) used thus far to successfully evaluate fetal arrhythmias, in order to discover potential hidden elect...

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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
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
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: April 12, 2023
Intervention Type: Procedure
Study Phase: Not Applicable

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...

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