 oligohydramnios is a condition in pregnancy characterized by a deficiency of amniotic fluid. it is the opposite of polyhydramnios. ==clinical features== the common clinical features are smaller symphysiofundal height, fetal malpresentation, undue prominence of fetal parts and reduced amount of amniotic fluid. ==causes== the cause is not known but is often associated with some: * fetal chromosomal anomolies * intra uterine infections * drugs; pg inhibitors, ace inhibitors * renal agenesis or obstruction of the urinary tract (posterior urethral valve in male fetus)of the fetus preventing micturation * iugr associated with placental insufficiency * amnion nodosum; failure of secretion by the cells of the amnion covering the placenta * postmaturity (dysmaturity) ==diagnosis== * uterine size is much smaller than the period of amenorrhoea * less fetal movements, * the uterus "full of fetus" because of scanty liquid, * malpresentation(breech) * evidences of intra uterine growth retardation of the fetus, * sonographic diagnosis is made when largest liquor pool is less than 2 cm, * visualization of normal filling and emptying of fetal bladder essentially rule out urinary tract abnormality, * oligohydramnios with fetal symmetric growth retardation is associated with increased chromosomal abnormality. ==complications== complications may include cord compression, musculoskeletal abnormalities such as facial distortion and clubfoot, pulmonary hypoplasia and intrauterine growth restriction. amnion nodosum is frequently also present (nodules on the fetal surface of the amnion). the use of oligohydramnios as a predictor of gestational complications is controversial. potter syndrome is a condition caused by oligohydramnios. affected
Pathology_of_pregnancy,_childbirth_and_the_puerperium