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Book

Polyhydramnios

Daniel S. Hwang  1 , Suzanne M. Jenkins, Heba Mahdy
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
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Book

Polyhydramnios

Daniel S. Hwang et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

Polyhydramnios is a pathological condition characterized by an excess of amniotic fluid volume. Under normal circumstances, an equilibrium is maintained between amniotic fluid production and absorption. Polyhydramnios occurs when this equilibrium is disrupted, often due to increased fetal urine production, impaired swallowing, or gastrointestinal obstruction. The diagnosis is made by ultrasound when the single deepest vertical pocket of fluid is at least 8 cm or when the amniotic fluid index is at least 24 cm. Polyhydramnios can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the amniotic fluid index or deepest vertical pocket.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Daniel Hwang declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Suzanne Jenkins declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Heba Mahdy declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

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    1. Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). Electronic address: pubs@smfm.org. Dashe JS, Pressman EK, Hibbard JU. SMFM Consult Series #46: Evaluation and management of polyhydramnios. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Oct;219(4):B2-B8. - PubMed
    1. Underwood MA, Gilbert WM, Sherman MP. Amniotic fluid: not just fetal urine anymore. J Perinatol. 2005 May;25(5):341-8. - PubMed
    1. Boylan P, Parisi V. An overview of hydramnios. Semin Perinatol. 1986 Apr;10(2):136-41. - PubMed
    1. Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Practice Bulletin No. 175: Ultrasound in Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Dec;128(6):e241-e256. - PubMed

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