Polyhydramnios

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Polyhydramnios
Ultrasound image showing polyhydramnios
Synonyms	Hydramnios
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Abdominal distension, shortness of breath, preterm labor
Complications	Preterm birth, placental abruption, fetal malposition
Onset	Pregnancy
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Diabetes mellitus, fetal anomalies, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
Risks	Maternal diabetes, multiple gestation
Diagnosis	Ultrasound, amniotic fluid index
Differential diagnosis	Oligohydramnios, normal pregnancy
Prevention	Managing maternal diabetes, regular prenatal care
Treatment	Amnioreduction, indomethacin, treating underlying cause
Medication	Indomethacin
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	1% of pregnancies
Deaths	N/A

Polyhydramnios

Polyhydramnios is a medical condition during pregnancy characterized by an excess of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac. It is seen in about 1% of pregnancies. It is typically diagnosed when the Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) is over 24 cm.

Causes

The exact cause of polyhydramnios is often unknown, but it can be associated with:

• Maternal diabetes
• Multiple pregnancies
• Congenital disorders
• Infections
• Problems with the fetus's nervous system, digestive system, or heart

Symptoms

Symptoms of polyhydramnios may include:

• Swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain
• Premature birth

Diagnosis

Polyhydramnios is usually diagnosed during a routine ultrasound in pregnancy. Further tests may be needed to determine the cause of the condition.

Treatment

Treatment for polyhydramnios depends on the severity of the condition. It may include:

• Monitoring of the pregnancy
• Medication to reduce fluid levels
• Amniocentesis to remove excess fluid

Prognosis

The prognosis for polyhydramnios depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, it can increase the risk of preterm labor, placental abruption, and perinatal mortality.

See also

• Oligohydramnios
• Amniotic fluid embolism
• Hydrops fetalis

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