P56: Hydrops fetalis due to haemolytic disease

Hydrops fetalis due to haemolytic disease is a serious condition that occurs in a developing fetus, characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in two or more regions in the body. The underlying cause of this condition is a type of blood disorder known as haemolytic disease, in which there is a mismatch between the blood types of the mother and the fetus. The mother's immune system sees the fetus' red blood cells as foreign and attacks them, leading to their destruction (haemolysis). This creates a chain reaction of events, including severe anaemia, which in turn triggers the fetus' body to compensate by retaining fluid in its tissues, leading to hydrops. Common symptoms may include swelling of the skin, liver, spleen, or heart, and the condition can progress to cause life-threatening problems like heart failure and severe breathing difficulties. The condition primarily affects the circulatory system of the fetus.