oligohydramnios

Oligohydramnios is a rare condition characterized by a deficiency of amniotic fluid, the fluid that surrounds a fetus during pregnancy. The cause is often unknown, but it is more frequently observed in pregnancies that go past their due date.1

If oligohydramnios occurs early in pregnancy, it can lead to adhesions between the membranes and the embryo, potentially causing fetal distortion. Later in pregnancy, the reduced fluid allows the uterine wall to press on the baby, leading to positional abnormalities such as clubfoot or wryneck. Affected infants may also have dry, thickened skin and a higher likelihood of being born with significant anomalies, particularly defective kidney development. While the condition typically causes no distress to the mother, it poses a greatly increased risk for the infant.1