Abdominal wall defects, cardiac defects, GI tract, or CNS anomalies are associated with which fluid abnormality that presents with AFI greater than 24 cm?

• A. Poly
• B. Oligo
• C. Hydrocephalus
• D. Banana Sign

Answer: (A)

AFI greater than 24 cm indicates polyhydramnios, an excess of amniotic fluid. This condition often accompanies fetal abnormalities that disrupt swallowing or fluid regulation, such as CNS anomalies (like anencephaly or severe neural tube defects), GI tract obstructions (esophageal or duodenal atresia), abdominal wall defects, and some cardiac defects. When the fetus cannot swallow or process fluid normally, more fluid remains in the amniotic space, raising the AFI.

Other options represent different concepts: Banana Sign is a brain morphology sign associated with certain open neural tube defects rather than a fluid issue; hydrocephalus refers to excess cerebrospinal fluid in the fetal head, not amniotic fluid; oligo means oligohydramnios, a low amniotic fluid state.