[Oligohydramnios. Diagnosis. Etiology. Prognosis]

Abstract

We have studied 68 cases of severe oligohydramnios and compared them with the published literature on the aetiology, pathology, diagnosis, complications and prognosis. The principal aetiological features have been malformations of the fetal urinary tracts, intra-uterine growth retardation, high maternal blood pressure, nicotine poisoning and prolonged pregnancy. The perinatal mortality and morbidity, as well as the caesarean section rate, are raised because of the complications, such as the tetrad of oligohydramnios, prematurity, fetal distress in labour and post-maturity. When oligohydramnios is the sole presenting feature the prognosis for the fetus is better.