Hydrops fetalis in South Korea.

Excluding those with congenital syphilis all infants born in a hospital in South Korea with hydrops fetalis during a 47 month period were studied. In six out of a total of 17 cases no obvious abnormality was found. Abnormalities in the other cases included leukaemia, pulmonary cysts, ovarian cyst, haemangioma, peritonitis, limb contractures, left hypoplasia and maternal anaemia. The literature is reviewed and the pathophysiology discussed.