Abstract

An appropriate volume of amniotic fluid is one of the most important components of a healthy pregnancy, as it acts as a protective cushion for the fetus, prevents compression of the umbilical cord, and promotes fetal lung development. While the average volume of amniotic fluid varies with gestational age, abnormally low amniotic fluid volume has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out in the Department of obstetrics and Gynecology, Narayana Medical College, Nellore, AP for a period of 1 year, January 2021 to December 2021. This study is an observational prospective clinical study. A total of 300 admitted women with singleton pregnancy at gestational age more than 34 weeks having clinically diagnosed oligohydramnios were enrolled in the study. Pertinent history relating to age, parity, gestational age, socio-economic status, educational status and booking status were recorded on a computer generated proforma for each woman. Results: Only 84 (28%) patients were booked pregnancy cases in the study. 45.33% were of gestational age more than equal to 40 weeks. After doing ultrasonographic assessment of AFI by Phelan’s Method, out of 300 patients, 218 (72.66%) had AFI less than 5 cm. Borderline oligohydramnios was seen in 82 (27.33%) patients as described in (Table 4). 68% (102) of the patients had their mode of delivery by Caesarean Section. 22.66% cases had meconium staining, out of which 11 cases had thickly stained liquor. Conclusion: Our study shows that isolated decreased AFI after 34 weeks of gestation is associated with satisfactory perinatal outcome. Both groups in the study, when compared statistically, were relatively similar in their pregnancy outcome. Significant association was found between oligohydramnios and increased rate of caesarean section, NICU admission and abnormal fetal heart rate tracing.

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