Treatment of severe fetal chylothorax associated with pronounced hydrops with intrapleural injection of OK-432.

We describe a case of a 25-week fetus with severe bilateral pleural effusion, marked ascites, skin edema, an anterior thick (hydropic) placenta and polyhydramnios in which the most probable diagnosis was congenital chylothorax. Treatment with a pleuroamniotic shunt was planned, however the location of the fetus just below the anterior placenta made the placement of the shunt too dangerous. We therefore decided to use intrapleural injection of OK-432. From week 29, the lungs looked normal, the pleural effusion had resolved and the thoracic circumference was within normal limits. The severe ascites persisted throughout the pregnancy and a total volume of 3680 mL was removed on several occasions. A Cesarean section was performed at 38 weeks and a normal male was delivered. Continuous positive airway pressure was needed on the first 4 days but after a week the situation was stable. On day 8, an X-ray showed normally developed lungs. OK-432 appears to have prevented pulmonary hypoplasia in our patient.