Hydrops fetalis is an excessive fluid accumulation within the fetal extra vascular compartments and body cavities. Non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF), due to causes other than Rh alloimmunization, is the cause in >85% of all affected individuals. Herein we present an update of our earlier systematic literature review [Bellini et al., 2009] using all publications between 2007 and 2013. We excluded most of the initial 31,783 papers by using strict selection criteria, thus resulting in 24 relevant NIHF publications describing 1,338 individuals with NIHF. We subdivided the affected individuals into 14 classification groups based on the cause of NIHF (percentage of the total group): Cardiovascular (20.1%), Hematologic (9.3%), Chromosomal (9.0%), Syndromic (5.5%), Lymphatic Dysplasia (15.0%), Inborn Errors of Metabolism (1.3%), Infections (7.0%), Thoracic (2.3%), Urinary Tract Malformations (0.9%), Extra Thoracic Tumors (0.7%), TTTF-Placental (4.1%), Gastrointestinal (1.3%), Miscellaneous (3.6%), Idiopathic (19.8%). We discuss the results of the review. There may be some shifts in the percentages of etiological categories as compared to the previous review, but the small numbers within each category make drawing firm conclusions hazardous. We highlight the need for multi-center series of NIHF cases collected and classified using the same schemes in diagnostic work-ups to allow for comparisons of larger numbers of cases.

SARS-CoV-2 symptoms are non-specific and can range from asymptomatic presentation to severe pneumonia. Asymptomatic subjects carrying SARS-CoV-2 often remain undiagnosed and it is still debated whether they develop immunoglobulins (Ig) and how long they persist. The aim of this study was to investigate the development and persistence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic subjects infected by the virus. This follow-up study was performed on the 31 asymptomatic subjects who presented a positive nasal swab or serology against SARS-CoV-2 (Ig against Spike-RBD) in the first part of the UNICORN study (March 2020) aimed at attesting previous or current contacts with the virus in the personnel of the University of Milan. Eight weeks after the first Ig measure, these subjects were invited to donate a second blood sample for testing serum antibodies (IgM, IgG and total antibodies) and to fill-in a structured questionnaire. About 80% of asymptomatic subjects did not present circulating immunoglobulins against SARS-CoV-2 after 8 weeks from a positive nasal swab against the virus. Moreover, in more than 40% of these subjects, no Ig against SARS-CoV-2 were detected at any time. Finally, about two third of subjects with immunoglobulins at baseline did not present IgG against SARS-CoV-2 after 8 weeks. The majority of subjects who developed an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection do not present antibodies against the RBD-spike protein after 8 weeks of follow-up. These data should be taken into account for the interpretation of the serological evidences on SARS-CoV-2 that are emerging nowadays.

Octreotide is a relatively effective and safe treatment option in neonates with chylothorax, especially for the congenital forms.

We compare our case with the previous Xp22.13 microdeletions and discuss the possible pathogenetic role of the flanking genes. Birth Defects Research 109:866-868, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.