Full text

Turn on search term navigation

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background: Perinatal Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) transmission occurs in 4–7% of the cases with detectable viremia at delivery. HCV testing in pregnancy is recommended. The fetal infection was previously described as asymptomatic although there are two cases, including this one, to report the presence of isolated fetal ascites in HCV infected fetuses. Case report: A 42-year-old patient, 3G, 3P, presented in the Emergency Room for painful uterine contraction. The third-trimester ultrasound examination noted severe fetal ascites, accompanied by hyperechoic bowels and polyhydramnios. The diagnosis required a detailed ultrasound exam, invasive testing (amniocentesis, cordocentesis, and fetal paracentesis), and a complete workup. The mother tested positive for HCV antibodies, and the fetal cord blood tested positive for HCV RNA. The ascites resolved after paracentesis, and the gastrointestinal and respiratory functions markedly improved. The fetus was delivered at term in good condition. Conclusions: The etiology of isolated fetal ascites is broad. This case may indicate that intrauterine HCV transmission is a potential cause of isolated fetal ascites in the absence of other explanation, and isolated fetal ascites can be the only sign revealed on a routine examination. We suspected, having no other detected cause for ascites, the intrauterine transmission of HCV. Invasive procedures, such as paracentesis, are required for abdominal decompression to manage isolated fetal ascites, as it may be a saving procedure. A genetic investigation is needed, and a good neonatal outcome is expected in the absence of fetal structural or genetic abnormalities, as in our case.

Details

Title
Intrauterine Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus Concomitant with Isolated Severe Fetal Ascites
Author
Rădoi, Cristiana Luiza 1 ; Elena-Iuliana-Anamaria Berbecaru 2 ; Anca-Maria Istrate-Ofițeru 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Nagy, Rodica Daniela 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Drăgușin, Roxana Cristina 4 ; Căpitănescu, Razvan Grigoraș 4 ; Zorilă, Marian Valentin 5 ; Zorilă, Lucian George 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Iliescu, Dominic Gabriel 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania 
 Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 200642 Craiova, Romania 
 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 200642 Craiova, Romania; Department of Histology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; Research Centre for Microscopic Morphology and Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania 
 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 200642 Craiova, Romania; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania 
 Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania 
First page
1335
Publication year
2022
Publication date
2022
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20760817
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2748301502
Copyright
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.