What is "polyhydramnios"

n. (context medicine English) An excess of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac.

Polyhydramnios (polyhydramnion, hydramnios, polyhydramnios) is a medical condition describing an excess of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac. It is seen in about 1% of pregnancies. It is typically diagnosed when the amniotic fluid index (AFI) is greater than 24 cm. There are two clinical varieties of polyhydramnios:

• Chronic polyhydramnios where excess amniotic fluid accumulates gradually
• Acute polyhydramnios where excess amniotic fluid collects rapidly

The opposite to polyhydramnios is oligohydramnios, a deficiency in amniotic fluid.