Does anyone know what Hydrops (this is cause of my great-great-grandmother's death cert in Chicago

debbehagner1

Does anyone know what Hydrops (this is cause of my great-great-grandmother's death cert in Chicago on 13 Jan 1886.

Kris Richins

There are two types of hydrops fetalis, immune and nonimmune. The type depends on the cause of the abnormal fluid.

• Immune hydrops fetalis is most often a complication of a severe form of Rh incompatibility, which can be prevented. This is a condition in which mother who has Rh negative blood type makes antibodies to her baby's Rh positive blood cells, and the antibodies cross the placenta. Rh incompatibility causes a large number of red blood cells in the fetus to be destroyed (This is also known as hemolytic disease of the newborn.) This leads to problems including total body swelling. Severe swelling can interfere with how the body organs work.
• Nonimmune hydrops fetalis is more common. It accounts for up to 90% of cases of hydrops. The condition occurs when a disease or medical condition affects the body's ability to manage fluid. There are three main causes for this type, heart or lung problems, severe anemia (such as from thalassemia or infections), and genetic or developmental problems, including Turner syndrome.