Fetal ascites refers to the accumulation of free fluid in the fetal abdomen. It is often considered under the same spectrum of hydrops fetalis.
On this page:
Pathology
Aetiology
any condition that results in hydrops fetalis
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additional causes include
idiopathic
bowel perforation (e.g. meconium peritonitis)
ovarian cyst rupture
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transudation or rupture of the fetal urinary tract
e.g. obstruction from posterior urethral valve
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Radiographic features
Ultrasound
In the case of simple ascites, free anechoic fluid is seen within the fetal abdominal cavity.
Differential diagnosis
General considerations include:
fetal pseudoascites: hypoechoic abdominal wall muscles or occasionally the hypoechoic fetal omentum can artefactually mimic a small volume of ascites
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