No. 363-Investigation and Management of Non-immune Fetal Hydrops

Objective: To describe the current investigation and management of non-immune fetal hydrops with a focus on treatable or recurring etiologies.

Outcomes: To provide better counselling and management in cases of prenatally diagnosed non-immune hydrops.

Evidence: Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed or MEDLINE, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library in 2017 using key words (non-immune hydrops fetalis, fetal hydrops, fetal therapy, fetal metabolism). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials/controlled clinical trials, observational studies, and significant case reports. Additional publications were identified from the bibliographies of these articles. There were no date or language restrictions. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline to September 2017. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology-related agencies, clinicalpractice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies.

Benefits, harms, and costs: These guidelines educate readers about the causes of non-immune fetal hydrops and its prenatal counselling and management. It also provides a standardized approach to non-immune fetal hydrops, emphasizing the search for prenatally treatable conditions and recurrent genetic etiologies.

Values: The quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.