Non-immune hydrops foetalis in combination with hydrocephalus and epidural haematoma: A rare togetherness

Non-immune hydrops foetalis is a serious disorder characterized by abnormal fluid accumulation in two or more foetal serous compartments together with generalized soft tissue oedema. It is a consequence of aberrant fluid homeostasis and prenatal cardiac failure, usually resulting from foetal anaemia caused by a variety of factors. We report one such case of a male infant aborted at 23 weeks of gestation which showed classical signs of hydrops scalp oedema, pleural effusion, ascites. In addition, hydrocephalus (enlarged head) and epidural haematomas were also observed. Hypertelorism and low set ears were the facial abnormalities noted. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of its kind to be reported with all the three conditions (non-immune hydrops foetalis, hydrocephalus, epidural haematoma) associated together. This coexistence is best explained by the common pathway of intracranial haemorrhage and the development of anaemia.