Polyhydramnios in Hong Kong

Abstract

One hundred and thirty nine Chinese women with polyhydramnios complicating pregnancy were delivered at University Obstetrics Unit, Tsan Yuk Hospital, Hong Kong from 1965 to 1982. The incidence of polyhydramnios in this study population was 0.21%. Among the 139 cases of polyhydramnios, 48 (34.5%) were associated with no cause (idiopathic), 4 (2.9%) with diabetes mellitus, 58 (41.7%) with congenital malformations, 9 (6.5%) with hydrops foetalis, 14 (10.1%) with multiple gestations, 4 (2.9%) with chorinoangioma of the placenta, and 2 (1.4%) presented as acute hydramnios. There was no maternal mortality. Higher incidences of accidental haemorrhage )3.6%), malpresentations (11.5%) and cord prolapse (1.4%) were encountered. Postpartum haemorrhage (2.2%) and manual removal of placenta (2.2%) were only slightly increased in occurrence. The foetal mortality was 59.7%. Prematurity and foetal malformations incompatible with life were the two major contributing factors. Atresia of the upper gastro-intestinal tract (23 cases) was the commonest foetal abnormality observed (34.4%). Hydrops foetalis (9 cases) and skeletal anomalies (9 cases) were next on the list and each constituted 13.4%. Obstetrical pelvic ultrasonography is useful in the detection and serial monitoring of polyhydramnios as well as in the prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations of the foetus.