Study of oligohyramnios & its perinatal outcome

To study and analyse the neonatal outcome and appropriate route of delivery in oligohydramnios of AFI < 5 cm at or beyond 34 weeks gestation.

In this prospective case control study of 50 women (study group) with ultrasound diagnosis of oligohydramnios of AFI < 5 cm at or beyond 34 weeks of gestation was compared with 50 women (control group) with AFI > 5 cm and less than 25 at or beyond 34 weeks matched for age, parity, gestational age. Women with PROM, gestational age < 34 weeks and greater than 40 weeks, congenital anomaly, PIH, multiple gestations were excluded from this study. Pregnancy was assessed with respect to antepartum, intrapartum and neonatal outcome measures.

In our study we found that oligohydramnios was associated with increased rate of non reassuring fetal heart rate (20% Vs 4%), labor induction (28% Vs 2%), cesarean delivery (56% Vs 8%), low birth weight (62% Vs 24%), IUGR (18% Vs 2%) and admission to NICU (18% Vs 4%). No difference in occurrence of meconium stained liquor, Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes was found. There was no neonatal death in the study.

Pregnancies with isolated oligohydramnios (AFI <5 cm) at or beyond 34 weeks are associated with increased incidence of fetal distress (non reassuring fetal heart rate), caesarean delivery, and low birth weight. Induction of labor was associated with increased rate of caesarean section for fetal distress. No appropriate route of delivery can be recommended for isolated oligohydramnios.