FETAL BRAIN SHRINKAGE: A RARE, MYSTIFYING ANOMALY

Objective: Brain shrinkage in fetal life is a dismal, misunderstood anomaly. In this report, we described a rare case of severe brain shrinkage diagnosed in the 25th weeks of gestation complicated with fetal anemia and ascites. Case Report: We detected polyhydramnios, ascites and severe brain anomaly in the fetus. Although the head circumference was normal; the brain tissue was atrophic and positioned in the center of the skull. The two cerebral hemispheres were adequately developed. Subarachnoid space was much extended, and the surface of the brain was smooth. Also, we detected severe fetal anemia. Perinatal infectious diseases were excluded. Fetal cranial MRI confirmed the brain shrinkage and TOP were performed. Conclusion: We showed a unique fetal brain malformation which comprises intracranial shrinkage and extreme subarachnoid space wideness without microcephaly. It is not well recognized in the literature, and the etiology is unclear