TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Hydrothorax A1 - Bianchi, Diana W. A1 - Crombleholme, Timothy M. A1 - D'Alton, Mary E. A1 - Malone, Fergal D. PY - 2015 T2 - Fetology: Diagnosis and Management of the Fetal Patient, 2e AB - Key PointsMay be primary, due to chylous leak, or secondary, in which effusions are part of generalized fluid retention. Secondary hydrothorax is more common in the fetus than the neonate.Sonography demonstrates an anechoic space peripherally around the compressed lungs. If effusion is large there may be mediastinal shift. Polyhydramnios is present in 60% to 70% of cases. Extrathoracic anomalies are frequently present.Prior to 32 weeks of gestation fetal treatment options include: thoracentesis, thoracoamniotic shunting, and thoraco-maternal cutaneous drainage. Thoracentesis should be performed to determine if the effusion is chylous and to obtain a cell count, differential, and culture.Decompression of the fetal chest immediately prior to delivery is controversial.Delivery should occur in a tertiary care center.Up to 5% of cases are associated with a chromosome abnormality, such as Down and Turner syndromes. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/10/14 UR - obgyn.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1106397612 ER -