Background: The amniotic fluid is required for the proper growth and development of the fetus, and it also acts as a barrier against infection and helps in fetal lung maturity. It varies with gestational age. Polyhydramnios is the excess of the amniotic fluid relative to the gestational age, which may be associated with adverse fetal and maternal outcomes.
Aim: to detect the etiological factors of polyhydramnios in the Minia governorate with limited tools.
Subjects and methods: This prospective study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Minia University. A group of 100 pregnant ladies irrespective of gestational age with an amniotic fluid index of more than 20 was included in the study.
Results: the mean AFI was 30.3± 6.1 among the participants. 46% had mild polyhydramnios, 28% had moderate polyhydramnios and 26% had severe polyhydramnios. There 14% had turbid amniotic fluid among the participants.
Conclusions: Women with polyhydramnios had an increased risk for delivery by a cesarean section. Both diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes are the main risk factors of polyhydramnios. Polyhydramnios were associated with gestational age at late-term and neonatal birth weighted > 2.5 Kg and NICU admission.