A feature of many chromosomal abnormalities is fetal hydrops (hydrops fetalis) in which the soft tissues are markedly edematous and body cavities filled with effusions. This is particularly true of monosomy X. The fetus shown here died in utero (intrauterine fetal demise) and shows signs of maceration (autolysis) such as the slippage of the skin and the reddened color.

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