Perinatal outcome in oligohydramnios and borderline amniotic fluid index: a comparative study

Background: Oligohydramnios is associated with adverse perinatal outcome in the form of meconium staining, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), caesarean section for abnormal fetal heart rate tracing, low Apgar score and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission.Methods: This was a prospective study of 100 singleton pregnancies beyond 28 weeks of gestation with AFI< 8 cm, delivered within seven days of admission. Patients were divided in two groups, those with AFI ≤ 5 cm and borderline AFI of 5.1 to 8 cm. Perinatal outcome was studied in the form of onset of labor, mode of delivery, fetal heart rate variations, meconium staining  and lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) for fetal distress, Apgar score, birth weight, NICU admission and neonatal mortality.Results: Patients with oligohydramnios with AFI ≤5 cm were significantly associated with IUGR and presence of abnormal umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry (p <0.05). Adverse perinatal outcome was seen in higher percentage of patients having AFI ≤5 cm than with borderline AFI. The difference was statistically significant for overall caesarean delivery rate and LSCS for fetal distress (p <0.05).Conclusions: Oligohydramnios with AFI of ≤5 cm is associated with high caesarean delivery rate and LSCS for fetal distress