Ascitis fetal aislada idiopática

Isolated foetal ascites is uncommon since, in most instances, it is diagnosed as being part of a clinical condition known as hydrops fetalis. We report the case of a 31-year-old secundigravida of 32 weeks and 5 days who came to A&E due to the finding of isolated massive foetal ascites and polyhydramnios in a routine ultrasound. The pregnancy had had a normal course until this point. Relevant data include a nuchal translucency (NT) in the first trimester above the 99th percentile with aneuploidy screening, normal early echocardiography and ultrasound at 20 weeks without pathological findings. Once the patient was admitted to hospital, tocolysis and foetal lung maturation were indicated as well as completion of a foetal morphological ultrasound study, foetal Doppler including middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity, irregular antibodies, TORCH and parvovirus B19 serological tests, diagnostic (study of congenital infections) and reduction amniocentesis. The tests were negative; therefore the diagnosis was isolated foetal ascites. The pregnancy was terminated by caesarean section at 33 weeks and 3 days due to pathological cardiotocography (CTG) findings. The ascites had no effect on neonatal development.