Study of low amniotic fluid index as a predictor of adverse perinatal outcome

This study was conducted in the Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narkatpally for over a period of one yeari.e, from APRIL 2017 to OCTOBER 2018, among 60 pregnant women at term (37-42 weeks), after exclusion of surgeries and multiple pregnancies, prelabour rupture of membranes. All the women in the study population underwent routine investigations. An ultrasound was done and AFI was calculated by four quadrant technique described by Phelan et al. Cases were categorized into different groups depending on the value AFI ≤5 cms - oligohydramnios The incidence of thick meconium stained amniotic fluid was high among oligohydramnios, as cord compression was more common among them. Hence, the cesarean section rates are more for fetal distress. Other indications for emergency delivery: CPD in labour, failure to progress and prolonged second stage were common in patients of oligohydramnios. The present study was done to evaluate fetal outcome in relation to AFI. It was found that determination of AFI can be used as a screening test to predict cases of fetal distress during intrapartum period requiring LSCS. The difference in the value of APGAR scores at 1 min and 5 mins was statistically significant in oligohydramnios. Birth weights < 2500 gms was seen more in oligohydramnios group (25%). Low birth weight is a feature of oligohydramnios.