Original Articles Vol. 3 No. 3 (2026): Bioscience Insights Published 2026-10-06

A TYPICAL BIRTH WEIGHT PATTERNS IN POLYHYDRAMNIOS: THE ROLE OF PRETERM BIRTH AND CONGENITAL ANOMALIES

Authors

  • Kanwal Bano Ibadat International University, Islamabad/Iqra University, Chak Shahzad Campus, Islamabad. Pakistan Author
  • Farhat Ullah Irfan General Hospital Peshawar Pakistan Author
  • Laiba Zahid Iqra University, Chak Shahzad Campus, Islamabad. Pakistan Author
  • Qandeel Zaman Iqra University, Chak Shahzad Campus, Islamabad. Pakistan Author
  • Irsa Tahir Khyber Medical University, IHS, Islamabad Pakistan Author
  • Taif Ur Rehman Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Pakistan Author
  • Dawood Khan Iqra University, Chak Shahzad Campus, Islamabad. Pakistan Author
35 views 30 downloads

Abstract

Background: Polyhydramnios is conventionally associated with maternal diabetes and fetal macrosomia. However, emerging evidence suggests that birth weight outcomes in polyhydramnios are heterogeneous and influenced by underlying etiology, particularly preterm birth and congenital anomalies.

Objective: To investigate the unexpected finding that polyhydramnios cases in a high-risk pregnancy cohort had lower birth weights than conventional expectations, and to examine the role of preterm birth and congenital anomalies as driving factors.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 81 high-risk pregnant women categorized into three groups based on amniotic fluid volume (AFV): Normal AFV (n=49), Oligohydramnios (n=16), and Polyhydramnios (n=16). AFV was assessed using Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) and Single Deepest Pocket (SDP). Birth weight, gestational age at delivery, Apgar scores, NICU admissions, and maternal risk factors were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Python 3.10.

Results: Polyhydramnios cases demonstrated a mean birth weight of 2.7 ± 0.5 kg, which was significantly lower than the normal AFV group (3.1 ± 0.4 kg) and contrary to the classical expectation of macrosomia. This atypical pattern was attributable to a higher frequency of preterm birth (mean gestational age 36.5 ± 1.5 weeks) and congenital anomalies (12.5% in polyhydramnios vs. 4.1% in normal AFV). The correlation between AFI and birth weight was modest and negative (r = -0.251). NICU admission rates were 37.5% in polyhydramnios, primarily due to prematurity and structural anomalies rather than fluid volume itself.

Conclusion: In high-risk pregnancies, polyhydramnios does not uniformly lead to macrosomia. Preterm birth and congenital anomalies are significant confounders that drive lower birth weights in this subgroup. These findings challenge the conventional macrosomia-centric paradigm and emphasize the need for etiology-specific risk stratification in polyhydramnios management.

Keywords

  • Polyhydramnios, birth weight, preterm birth, congenital anomalies, macrosomia, amniotic fluid volume, high-risk pregnancy.

Views & Downloads Statistics (Last 12 Months)

Monthly performance and trends of article views and downloads

Views (12 months)35
Downloads (12 months)30
Article Views PDF Downloads