Clinecal study of adverse perinatal outcome for a borderline amniotic fluid index.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether a amniotic fluid index confers a significant risk of adverse perinatal outcome. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients entering antepartum testing at the people's hospital of Sichuan province during a 4-month period beginning Augest 2002. An amniotic fluid index 5 and 8 cm was defined as borderline and an amniotic fluid index of 8.1 to 20 cm was considered normal. Markers of adverse perinatal outcome included intrapartum fetal distress, 5-minute Apgar score7, and fetal growth restriction,fetal death and fetal abnormality. Results: There was a increase in the incidence of adverse perinatal outcome among the women with amniotic fluid index in comparison with control subjects with normal amniotic fluid volume. and a 2-fold increase in the incidence of fetal growth restriction among women with a amniotic fluid index. Conclusion: A amniotic fluid index observed in antepartum testing is associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction and overall adverse perinatal outcome.