Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 15, Issue 5 385-388, Copyright © 1996 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Severity of polyhydramnios does not affect the prevalence of large-for-gestational-age newborn infants
N. Lazebnik, L. M. Hill, D. Guzick, J. G. Martin and A. Many
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the
severity of polyhydramnios with or without maternal diabetes and the
prevalence of large-for-gestational-age newborn infants. A case control
design was used. The study group consisted of 275 singleton pregnancies
with an amniotic fluid index > or = 25.0 cm. An equal number of controls
was matched for maternal age, gravidity, parity, and gestational age.
Polyhydramnios was categorized into three groups by severity: mild
(amniotic fluid index 25 to 30 cm.); moderate (amniotic fluid index, 30.1
to 35.0 cm); and severe (amniotic fluid index > or = 35.1 cm). Among our
study group, 72.7%, 19.7%, and 7.6% of cases had mild, moderate, and severe
polyhydramnios, respectively. Patients with polyhydramnios had a
significantly higher prevalence of large-for-gestational-age neonates (27%)
than did controls (10%) (P < 0.001). No correlation was seen between the
severity of polyhydramnios and neonatal delivery weight. The prevalence of
gestational and class > or = B diabetes mellitus was significantly
higher among patients with polyhydramnios (17.7%) than among controls (7%)
(P < 0.003). Once polyhydramnios was diagnosed sonographically, however,
maternal diabetic status did not affect the prevalence of
large-for-gestational-age newborn infants. We conclude that the prevalence
of large-for-gestational-age neonates is 2.7 times greater when
polyhydramnios is present than when the amniotic fluid volume is normal.
Neither the severity of polyhydramnios nor the presence of maternal
diabetes mellitus strengthens the relationship between polyhydramnios and
large-for-gestational-age newborn infants.
