MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Polyhydramnios

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Polyhydramnios

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Considerations	Common Causes What to expect at your health care provider's office

Illustrations

Polyhydramnios

Definition Return to top

Polyhydramnios is the presence of excessive amniotic fluid surrounding the unborn infant.

Considerations Return to top

Amniotic fluid surrounds and cushions the infant throughout development. Decreased or excessive amounts of amniotic fluid may be associated with abnormalities in the fetus.

Polyhydramnios may be from failure by the fetus to swallow and absorb amniotic fluid in normal amounts. This may occur as a result of gastrointestinal disorders, neurological problems, or a variety of other causes. Polyhydramnios may also be related to increased fluid production, as is the case with certain fetal lung disorders.

Sometimes, no specific cause for polyhydramnios is found.

Common Causes Return to top

esophageal atresia
duodenal atresia
anencephaly
hydrops fetalis
achondroplasia
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
diaphragmatic hernia
gastroschisis
multifetal gestations (for example, twins or triplets)
gestational diabetes

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

This condition is discovered during pregnancy, and evaluated prior to delivery. If a fetal abnormality is found, the baby will be delivered in a hospital with specialists who can provide immediate evaluation and treatment.

Documenting polyhydramnios may include:

history of this pregnancy
history of past pregnancies and health of the children delivered
other family history
ultrasound scans of the fetus

Update Date: 1/16/2004

Updated by: Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Ma., and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (2/5/2002).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.