What is the Difference Between Polyhydramnios and Oligohydramnios?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios are conditions that occur during pregnancy, involving abnormal levels of amniotic fluid. The main differences between the two are:
- Polyhydramnios is a pathological increase in amniotic fluid volume, with values above 8 cm indicating this condition. It occurs in 1% of pregnancies and is associated with complications such as maternal dyspnea, preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, abnormal fetal presentation, umbilical cord prolapse, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal macrosomia, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and urinary tract infections. Some common causes of polyhydramnios include gestational diabetes, fetal anomalies, fetal infections, and Rh incompatibility.
- Oligohydramnios is a condition where there is too little amniotic fluid around the fetus, with values below 2 cm indicating this condition. It occurs in about 11% of pregnancies and can lead to complications such as fetal lung development issues, pulmonary hypoplasia, bowed legs, clubbed feet, a single umbilical artery, gastrointestinal atresias, and a narrow chest secondary to external compression. Oligohydramnios can be caused by factors such as renal agenesis or dysgenesis, and obstructive uropathies.
Both conditions can be diagnosed through ultrasound. The amniotic fluid index (AFI) is used to measure the amount of amniotic fluid, with a normal range being between 5 and 25 cm. In cases of multiple gestation, a range of 3–8 cm is defined as normal.
Comparative Table: Polyhydramnios vs Oligohydramnios
Here is a table comparing the differences between polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios:
Condition | Definition | Incidence | Causes | Complications |
---|---|---|---|---|
Polyhydramnios | Excessive production of amniotic fluid during pregnancy | 1 to 2% of pregnancies | Rh incompatibility, fetal anemia, maternal diabetes, genetic conditions, multiple gestations | Cord prolapse, placental abruption, premature birth, perinatal death |
Oligohydramnios | Inadequate amount of amniotic fluid during pregnancy | 4% of pregnancies | Fetal urine output, leakage of amniotic fluid from the uterus, fetal kidney issues, gastrointestinal malformations, fetal neurological problems, mechanical obstruction of the esophagus | Complications in fetus growth, increased pressure on the uterus, increased risk of cesarean section |
Both polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios are pregnancy-related complications related to the volume of amniotic fluid. Polyhydramnios is characterized by an excessive amount of amniotic fluid, while oligohydramnios is characterized by an inadequate amount of amniotic fluid. These conditions can cause complications for both the mother and the baby, and they require proper diagnosis and treatment.
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- Osmolality vs Osmolarity
- Hypernatremia vs Hyponatremia
- Discharge vs Amniotic Fluid
- Amniotic Fluid vs Urine
- Polygyny vs Polyandry
- Amniocentesis vs Cordocentesis
- Gestational Hypertension vs Preeclampsia
- Amnion vs Allantois
- Fibroid vs Ovarian Cyst
- Inguinal Hernia vs Hydrocele
- Hypotonic vs Hypertonic
- Fibroid vs Polyp
- Isosmotic Hyperosmotic vs Hypoosmotic
- Diastasis Recti vs Umbilical Hernia
- Amnion vs Chorion
- Apnea vs Hypopnea