Correlation of reduced amniotic fluid index with maternal outcome

Amniotic fluid volume estimation is an important part of fetal assessment as variation in its amount has been related to a variety of pregnancy complications. Our aim was to determine whether low amniotic fluid index (AFI) affects maternal and fetal outcome.

This prospective observational study included 200 antenatal patients of term gestation of which 100 cases with AFI<8 and 100 controls with AFI ≥8 but ≤ 15 were included in study. Ultrasonography and NST were done and results of both groups compared for the presence of meconium passage, non reactive NST, abnormal fetal heart rate, induction of labour, mode of delivery.

There was increased incidence of non-reactive NST (40% vs 12%), meconium stained (33% vs 10%) in oligohydramnios group. 49 out of 100 patients (49%) had vaginal delivery out of which 32 (64.6%) were spontaneous in onset and 17 (35.4%) were induced. While in controls 78% had vaginal delivery out of which 91% were spontaneous while 9% were induced. 51% underwent LSCS out of which 18% underwent elective and 33% had emergency LSCS in cases while in controls 22% underwent LSCS all of them were emergency cesarean.

Oligohydramnios affect the maternal outcome in terms of obstetrical interventions like LSCS for fetal distress, meconium stained liquor and non reassuring fetal heart rate. Vaginal delivery and caesarean section should be well balanced so that unnecessary maternal morbidities are prevented and labour outcome improved.