Which of the following characteristics is NOT typically associated with hydropic fetuses?

Which of the following characteristics is NOT typically associated with hydropic fetuses?

• A. Accumulation of fluid in tissues
• B. Cardiovascular anomaly
• C. Increased risk of infection
• D. Fetal anemia

Answer: (C)

In the context of hydropic fetuses, the defining characteristics include various pathological conditions primarily related to abnormal fluid accumulation. Hydrops fetalis is often characterized by significant accumulation of fluid in fetal tissues and cavities, which corresponds to the first option. Additionally, congenital conditions, including cardiovascular anomalies, are frequently observed in hydropic fetuses. These anomalies can lead to compromised circulation and myocardial function, exacerbating the hydropic condition. Fetal anemia is another notable association, as it can occur due to conditions like Rh incompatibility or infections—which can lead to hydrops. On the other hand, while increased risk of infection can indeed be a concern in some scenarios involving hydropic conditions, it is not a defining characteristic of hydrops itself. Infections may cause hydrops as a secondary concern, but they do not inherently define hydropic fetuses in the same way as fluid accumulation, cardiovascular anomalies, and fetal anemia do. Thus, identifying increased risk of infection as not typically associated with hydropic fetuses aligns with the characteristics that are more definitively linked to the condition.

In the context of hydropic fetuses, the defining characteristics include various pathological conditions primarily related to abnormal fluid accumulation. Hydrops fetalis is often characterized by significant accumulation of fluid in fetal tissues and cavities, which corresponds to the first option. Additionally, congenital conditions, including cardiovascular anomalies, are frequently observed in hydropic fetuses. These anomalies can lead to compromised circulation and myocardial function, exacerbating the hydropic condition.

Fetal anemia is another notable association, as it can occur due to conditions like Rh incompatibility or infections—which can lead to hydrops.

On the other hand, while increased risk of infection can indeed be a concern in some scenarios involving hydropic conditions, it is not a defining characteristic of hydrops itself. Infections may cause hydrops as a secondary concern, but they do not inherently define hydropic fetuses in the same way as fluid accumulation, cardiovascular anomalies, and fetal anemia do. Thus, identifying increased risk of infection as not typically associated with hydropic fetuses aligns with the characteristics that are more definitively linked to the condition.