thumb In most cases, the exact cause cannot be identified. A single case may have one or more causes, including intrauterine infection (TORCH), rh-isoimmunisation, or chorioangioma of the placenta. In a multiple gestation pregnancy, the cause of<unk>  usually is twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Maternal causes include cardiac problems, kidney problems, and maternal diabetes mellitus, which causes fetal hyperglycemia and resulting polyuria (fetal urine is a major source of amniotic fluid). A recent study distinguishes between mild and severe<unk>  and showed that Apgar score of less than 7, perinatal death and structural malformations only occurred in women with severe<unk> . In another study, all patients with<unk> , that had a sonographically normal fetus, showed no chromosomal anomalies. (M/C for<unk> is fetal anomalies 'Williams Obstetrics, 24th Edition – Cunningham, Leveno, Bloom et al. Table 11-2) but these anomalies include: *gastrointestinal abnormalities such as esophageal atresia and duodenal atresia (causing inability to swallow amniotic fluid), anencephaly, facial cleft, neck masses, tracheoesophageal fistula, and diaphragmatic hernias. An annular pancreas causing obstruction may also be the cause. *Bochdalek's hernia, in which the pleuro-peritoneal membranes (especially the left) will fail to develop and seal the pericardio-peritoneal canals. This results in the stomach protrusion up into the thoracic cavity, and the fetus is unable to swallow sufficient amounts of amniotic fluid. * fetal renal disorders that result in increased urine production during pregnancy, such as in antenatal Bartter syndrome. Molecular diagnosis is available for these conditions. *neurological abnormalities such as anencephaly, which impair the swallowing reflex. Anencephaly is failure of closure of the rostral neuropore (rostral neural tube defect). If the rostral neuropore fails to close there will be no neural mechanism for swallowing. *chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome, which is itself often associated with gastrointestinal abnormalities. *Skeletal dysplasia, or dwarfism. There is a possibility of the chest cavity not being large enough to house all of the baby's organs causing the trachea and esophagus to be restricted, not allowing the baby to swallow the appropriate amount of amniotic fluid. *sacrococcygeal teratoma
Polyhydramnios
Oligohydramnios
Asynclitic birth
Low Birth Weight
Fetal distress
Low birth weight
Large for gestational age
Breech birth