Fetal gut atresia is variably associated with polyhydramnios. In order
to determine which pregnancies will develop polyhydramnios, the case
notes of 80 babies with gut atresia and stenosis were reviewed. Matern
al polyhydramnios developed in all cases, of pure oesophageal atresia
(n = 8), all cases of Type III duodenal atresia (DA) with a non-bifid
bile duct (n = 8), 80% of cases with type I DA (n = 10), and 24% of at
resias of the small intestine (n = 34). Polyhydramnios did not develop
in any case where there was not total obstruction except in 1 baby wi
th DA and a bifid bile duct (BBD). These included stenosis of the oeso
phagus and duodenum (n = 17) and DA type III with a BED (n = 3). These
results support the role of fetal swallowing and fluid absorption by
the fetal gastro-intestinal tract in the regulation of amniotic fluid
volume.