Effect of isolated oligohydramnios in otherwise normal term pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives:

1. To study the perinatal outcome in term oligohydramnios.
2. To compare the mode of delivery in patients with oligohydramnios with the control group (AFI>5). Methods: The study was a prospective study carried out in the department of OBG at K.V.G. Medical College and Hospital, Sullia over a period of 1 year from January 2012 to December 2012. A total of 100 low risk patients of gestational age >37 weeks were studied, of which 50 had an AFI 5 and were included in the study group and 50 had an AFI>5 and were allocated to the control group. The mode of delivery and the perinatal outcome was compared between the two groups. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The rate of caesarean section was 68% in the group with oligohydramnios and 28% in the group with normal liquor volume. The difference was significant. The incidence of intrauterine growth restriction was significantly high in the study group (48%) as compared to the control group (22%). The prevalence of thick meconium (8% vs 6%) and non reassuring non stress test (12% vs 8%) was not significantly different in between the two groups. The fetal outcome as assessed by the apgar score and the neonatal intensive care unit admission rate (14% vs 4%) were not different in between the two groups. There were no perinatal deaths in either of the two groups. Conclusion: Isolated oligohydramnios in the absence of any other maternal or fetal complicating factor is not found to adversely affect the fetal outcome, though the fetal weight may be slightly lower in babies born to mothers with oligohydramnios. The incidence of caesarean section for fetal distress is higher in patients with oligohydramnios.