hydrops fetalis A serious and potentially fatal condition of a fetus characterized by gross edema (swelling) from abnormal accumulation of fluids in the body. Hydrops fetalis has both immune-related and non-immune-related causes. Immune-related hydrops fetalis can be due to hemolytic disease such as Rh blood group incompatibility, in which antibodies crossing the placenta from the mother destroy the red blood cells of the fetus. Non-immune-related hydrops fetalis can have many causes but is most commonly a result of cardiac abnormalities in the fetus. See also Rh incompatibility.

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