A 22-year-old female gives birth at 20 weeks' gestation to a stillborn fetus. Physical exam reveals gross edema of the entire body and anemia. This condition is referred to as:
A) hyperbilirubinemia.
B) hydrops fetalis.
C) erythroblastosis fetalis.
D) ascites.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms of gross edema and anemia in a stillborn fetus at 20 weeks' gestation suggest the presence of hydrops fetalis, which is a severe form of fetal edema caused by various underlying conditions such as immune or non-immune fetal anemia, infections, heart or lung abnormalities, or genetic disorders. Hyperbilirubinemia and erythroblastosis fetalis are conditions that involve the destruction of red blood cells due to maternal-fetal blood group incompatibility or other factors. Ascites refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.

A 22-Year-Old Female Gives Birth at 20 Weeks' Gestation to a Stillborn