Readout - Approach to Mild Polyhydraminos
Check out the complete lecture on amniotic fluid assessment by clicking here and polyhydramnios by clicking here
Take Home Points
visual assessment of amniotic fluid
The torso (and preferably the head) should fill the amniotic cavity from front to back and there should be communicating pockets of fluid between the small parts.
Normal deepest vertical pocket of fluid
Normal is 2-8 cm.
filly's rules of amniotic fluid assessment
- If my eye tells me that there is oligohydramnios, I will not let a number (eg normal AFI) change my mind because this is a potentially dangerous situation for the fetus.
- If my eye tells me that there is mild increase in fluid, I'm not going to call polyhydramnios unless there is clear demonstration by the fluid measurement because mild polydydramnios is almost always a benign entity
bottom line of what to do with borderline poly
Reasonable report macro:
- "The amniotic fluid is generous without overt polyhydramnios. There are no potential causes identified. Consider followup to exclude progression."
- For potential causes, please see the dedicated lecture on polyhydramnios linked above