Intrapericardial teratoma is a germ-cell tumor that typically arises from the base of the heart. This rare cardiac tumour is the second most common tumor diagnosed in fetuses and newborn. Although benign, it can be massive in size causing direct compression on the heart and associated with significant pericardial effusion resulting life-threatening complications such as cardiac tamponade, heart failure, foetal hydrops, and sudden death. Early antenatal diagnosis and surgical intervention improve the survival. We present a case of immature intrapericardial teratoma diagnosed at 25 weeks of gestation but required multiple foetal pericardiocentesis and premature delivery due to massive pericardial effusion. The importance of multidisciplinary team approach to ensure successful management was highlighted in this case report.

Foetal echocardiography has progressed to be able to diagnose many forms of CHD and to assess the prognosis of cardiac lesions based on their anatomy and presentation in utero. This article outlines a straightforward method for the rapid evaluation of foetus that may have congestive heart failure with or without hydrops and for the differentiation of the pre-hydropic state from normal. The presence of signs of foetal heart failure, such as cardiomegaly or valvular regurgitation, gives clues to the aetiology of hydrops. The assessment of the prognosis of hydrops foetalis can be difficult but can be aided by the use of the cardiovascular profile score. Once identified, the neurohumoral effects of foetal heart failure can be ameliorated using transplacental digoxin if the hydrops has not progressed.