Oligohydramnios increases risk of which complications?

Oligohydramnios increases risk of which complications?

• A. Umbilical cord compression and pulmonary hypoplasia
• B. Macrosomia and polycythemia
• C. Neonatal jaundice and hypotension
• D. Maternal fever and chorioamnionitis

Answer: (A)

Oligohydramnios means there is too little amniotic fluid. That fluid normally cushions and spaces the fetus, allowing room for movement and proper lung development. When fluid is scant, the fetus is more easily compressed, so the umbilical cord can be squeezed, especially with contractions or fetal movement. Cord compression reduces blood flow and oxygen delivery, leading to fetal distress and characteristic changes on the fetal heart rate tracing. At the same time, insufficient fluid restricts lung expansion and growth, increasing the risk of pulmonary hypoplasia, a serious condition that can cause severe respiratory problems after birth. Macrosomia and polycythemia are not typical consequences of low amniotic fluid; macrosomia is linked to maternal diabetes and fetal overgrowth, while polycythemia relates more to intrauterine hypoxia or delayed clamping. Neonatal jaundice and hypotension aren’t direct consequences of oligohydramnios, and maternal infection signs like fever and chorioamnionitis are unrelated to low fluid volume.

Oligohydramnios means there is too little amniotic fluid. That fluid normally cushions and spaces the fetus, allowing room for movement and proper lung development. When fluid is scant, the fetus is more easily compressed, so the umbilical cord can be squeezed, especially with contractions or fetal movement. Cord compression reduces blood flow and oxygen delivery, leading to fetal distress and characteristic changes on the fetal heart rate tracing. At the same time, insufficient fluid restricts lung expansion and growth, increasing the risk of pulmonary hypoplasia, a serious condition that can cause severe respiratory problems after birth.

Macrosomia and polycythemia are not typical consequences of low amniotic fluid; macrosomia is linked to maternal diabetes and fetal overgrowth, while polycythemia relates more to intrauterine hypoxia or delayed clamping. Neonatal jaundice and hypotension aren’t direct consequences of oligohydramnios, and maternal infection signs like fever and chorioamnionitis are unrelated to low fluid volume.