Isolated Fetal Ascites: A Rare Cause

A moderately preterm, 2.68 kg, male child was born to para 3 live 3 mother by Cesarean delivery done in view of preterm labor with fetal ascites. The baby had antenatally detected ascites. The baby had distended but soft abdomen. Ultrasound abdomen showed gross ascites. X-ray of the abdomen in supine showed faint lucency in the mid-abdomen region posterior to the bowel gas, which was visualized as free gas along the right half of the abdomen in lateral decubitus position, suggestive of bowel perforation. Laparotomy was done on day three of life, intraoperatively found to have perforated Meckel’s diverticulum. Ascites resolved postoperatively. Isolated fetal ascites is a rare condition but has a favorable prognosis.