Radiology, Vol 165, 467-469, Copyright © 1987 by Radiological Society of North America
Second-trimester polyhydramnios: evaluation with US
CJ Sivit, MC Hill, JW Larsen and IM Lande
Department of Radiology, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
The sonograms of 40 patients with second-trimester polyhydramnios were
reviewed to determine (a) whether fetal and maternal conditions occur as
often during second-trimester polyhydramnios as during third- trimester
polyhydramnios, (b) the frequency of persistence of polyhydramnios into the
third trimester, and (c) how sonography can help in maternal and fetal
management. Second-trimester polyhydramnios often (62%) persisted into the
third trimester. The frequencies of maternal (25%) and fetal (12%)
conditions were similar to those previously reported for third-trimester
polyhydramnios. Fetal anomalies were always identified on the sonogram that
initially demonstrated polyhydramnios. Fetal outcome was excellent in the
nondiabetic patient with polyhydramnios in whom no fetal abnormalities were
detected on sonograms. In polyhydramnios associated with maternal diabetes
mellitus, however, the pregnancy was often (71%) complicated by premature
labor or macrosomia. In such patients serial sonographic follow-up is
indicated.
