Oligohydramnios: Sonographic Diagnosis and Clinical Implications

A decreased amniotic fluid volume is frequently one of the first clues to an underlying fetal abnormality or maternal disease state. Thus, although it may not be associated with a fetal malformation, a significant reduction in the amount of amniotic fluid correlates with an increased rate of both perinatal morbidity and perinatal mortality. Therefore, the sonologist/sonographer should understand the potential pathways for amniotic fluid production and the effects of oligohydramnios on fetal development.