Oligohydramnios with Liquor <5 cms and Its Maternal and Foetal Outcome

Abstract

BACKGROUND Oligohydramnios is defined as the amniotic fluid index < 5 cms measured through ultrasound techniques. It is becoming a major health care issue in the antenatal period. We wanted to identify and quantify the maternal and foetal outcome in patients with decreased liquor using amniotic fluid index. METHODS This study is a retrospective study done in the labour room of Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Porur, Chennai between January 2017 to March 2019. A total of 9600 deliveries were conducted during the study period of which clinically suspected cases in the second and third trimester were 106 in number. Various parameters like antenatal history, ultrasound parameters like gestational age, placental localisation, amniotic fluid volume, congenital anomalies of the foetus, APGAR score at 1 min and 5 mins and perinatal mortality were noted. RESULTS In the total of 9600 deliveries, 106 (1.1%) were having oligohydramnios. All women between 21-25 years (57.89%) of age had decreased amniotic fluid index. Anaemia and PIH were the most common factors associated with oligohydramnios. Caesarean section was 50% and vaginal delivery was 36.8% in women with low amniotic fluid index. Variable heart rate deceleration (10.52%) was seen in babies born to women with decreased amniotic fluid index. Higher incidence of low Apgar score <7 at 1 min and 5 min and meconium stained liquor was observed among cases with very low AFI [6 (15.2%) and 5 (13.15%) respectively] and low AFI (22.2%) respectively. Higher incidence of IUGR was observed in very low AFI [16 (42.10%)]. Decreased amniotic fluid index is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality and still births. CONCLUSIONS Foetal distress, meconium passage and low APGAR score at 1 min and 5 mins were associated with low amniotic fluid index and these patients required careful monitoring and follow up during antenatal and intranatal period.