Publication:

Study of effect of oligohydramnios on maternal and perinatal outcomes in tertiary care center-hospital based cross-sectional study

Background Oligohydramnios is described as a condition with decreased amniotic fluid volume relative to gestational age. The amniotic fluid (AF) is a part of the fetal life support system. Oligohydramnios was defined as amniotic fluid index (AFI) ≤5 (or less than the 5th percentile) or single vertical pocket less than 1 cm. With the help of method of amniotic fluid volume estimation by Phelan AFI method, using four quadrant techniques during transabdominal USG, helps in detecting oligohydramnios and foetuses at high risk.

Methods 45 pregnant women presented with oligohydramnios to our hospital, a tertiary care centre at Bagalkot, from April 2023 to October 2023. Maternal and perinatal characteristics were retrieved from case papers.

Results Of 45 cases of oligohydramnios, more than 50% underwent caesarean section, due to various causes. 44 cases had live born and 1 was still born due to prematurity. 15 cases (33%) were preterm at the time of presentation, whereas 21 cases (67%) were term at presentation. Of 45 cases, 21 cases required NICU admission, among them 10 were due to prematurity and IUGR component.

Conclusions With this study we can conclude that oligohydramnios predisposes to raising caesarean rates, preterm delivery and NICU admission. Further research on large scale with larger sample and multicentric approach, follow up is required to predict the perinatal outcome in future.