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Polyhydramnios - 2 reference results
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Polyhydramnios
Polyhydramnios (polyhydramnion, hydramnios) is a medical condition describing an excess of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac. It is seen in 0.5 to 2% of pregnancies. It is typically diagnosed when the amniotic fluid exceeds 2000 mL.

The opposite to polyhydramnios is oligohydramnios, a deficiency in amniotic fluid.

Causes

A single case of polyhydramnios may have one or more causes. About 20% of cases are due to maternal diabetes mellitus, which causes fetal hyperglycemia and resulting polyuria (fetal urine is a major source of amniotic fluid). About another 20% of cases are associated with fetal anomalies that impair the ability of the fetus to swallow (the fetus normally swallows the amniotic fluid). These anomalies include:

  • gastrointestinal abnormalities such as esophageal atresia, duodenal atresia, facial cleft, neck masses, and tracheoesophageal fistula
  • chromosomal abnormalities such as Down's syndrome and Edwards Syndrome (which is itself often associated with GI abnormalities)
  • neurological abnormalities such as anencephaly, which impair the swallowing reflex

In a multiple gestation pregnancy, the cause of polyhydramnios usually is twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

It can also be caused by some systemic medical conditions in the mother, including cardiac or kidney problems.

Additionally, chorioangioma of the placenta can also cause this condition.

Associated conditions

Fetuses with polyhydramnios are at risk for a number of other problems including cord prolapse, placental abruption and perinatal death. At delivery the baby should be checked for congenital abnormalities.

Treatment

In some cases, amnioreduction has been used in response to polyhydramnios.

See also

References

External links

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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Last updated on Wednesday September 10, 2008 at 07:38:02 PDT (GMT -0700)
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Paradoxical scalloped placenta with polyhydramnios in twin-twin transfusion syndrome
Jan 01, 2007; Abstract Objective. To describe the paradoxical occurrence of a scalloped placenta in the presence of polyhydramnios and assess...
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polyhydramnios
Jan 01, 2008; polyhydramnios ( hydramnios ) (poli-hy- dram -nix14F;s) n. an increase in the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus,...
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A rare cause of polyhydramnios: Neu-Laxova syndrome
Jul 01, 2006; Abstract Neu-Laxova syndrome is a rare group of congenital malformations including intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR),...
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Jejunal atresia in an infant with triple-X syndrome
Sep 01, 2004; A 33-year-old woman presented at 31 weeks' gestation with polyhydramnios that required repeated amniodrainage. An antenatal scan...
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hydramnios
Oct 01, 1996; The Mosby Medical Encyclopedia 10-01-1996 hydramnios polyhydramnios /hdram'nus/, an abnormal condition of pregnancy known by an...
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