This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Aetiology

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

In most cases the excess fluid accumulates slowly resulting in chronic polyhydramnios which is usually detected after 30 weeks of gestation.

Rarely the amniotic fluid accumulates rapidly, resulting in acute polyhydramnios. There is an increased risk of premature labour before 28 weeks, and it tends to develop earlier than the chronic form, possibly by the 16th to 20th week.

There are foetal and maternal causes of polyhydramnios.

Foetal causes:

  • twin pregnancy, especially uniovular twins
  • anencephaly interferes with foetal swallowing
  • oesophageal or duodenal atresia prevents foetal swallowing
  • spina bifida
  • chorioangioma of the placenta
  • hydrops foetalis

Maternal causes:

  • poorly controlled maternal diabetes results in foetal polyuria
  • multiple pregnancy

The acute form of polyhydramnios is associated with fetal abnormality or uniovular twins.

Chronic polyhydramnios is particulary associated with gut atresia, fetal abnormality, and multiple pregnancy. Often no cause if found.


Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.