Final answer:
Esophageal atresia is associated with hydramnios due to impaired swallowing function, leading to fluid buildup. However, their association is not always present in all cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Esophageal atresia is indeed associated with polyhydramnios or hydramnios, which is a condition where there is too much amniotic fluid surrounding the baby in the womb. This can be an indicator of fetal anomalies, including esophageal atresia, where the esophagus does not form correctly and is not connected to the stomach. The accumulation of amniotic fluid occurs because the baby is unable to swallow and absorb the amniotic fluid in the usual way, leading to an excess.
In contrast, oligohydramnios is a condition with too little amniotic fluid, which can lead to a different set of issues, such as limb contractures, clubbing of feet and hands, and hypoplastic lungs that may be fatal post-birth. Fetal cranial bone abnormalities may also occur, and in some cases, oligohydramnios can be caused by certain medications such as ACE inhibitors, which lead to fetal renal failure. Both oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios require careful medical assessment and monitoring to manage potential risks to the mother and baby during pregnancy and after birth.