Comparison of Frequency of Adverse Fetal Outcomes in Third Trimester of Pregnancy in Females With and Without Oligohydramnios

Adverse fetal outcomes in pregnancies with oligohydramnios

Abstract

Introduction: Oligohydramnios is defined as qualitatively reduced amniotic fluid volume or quantitatively as Amniotic fluid index (AFI) of < 5cm or Deepest Vertical Pool (DVP) of <2cm diagnosed on ultrasonography.

The prognosis of fetus in females with oligohydramnios depends on various factors including the severity of oligohydramnios, underlying cause and gestational age at which it is diagnosed.

Objective: To draw the comparison of frequency of adverse fetal outcomes in pregnant females with and without oligohydramnios in third trimester.

 Study design:  Prospective Cohort Study

Setting: Department of OBGYN, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi.

Study Period:  It was carried out over a period of six months from Dec 2021to June 2022.

Material Methods:  A total of 80 pregnant females, 40 in Group A and 40 in Group B were recruited in this study from OPD after informed consent on a pre-designed proforma. Group A included females diagnosed with oligohydramnios while Group B included those without oligohydramnios.

Results: In our study the mean age of Group A was 28.2±5.0 and 28.34.7 in Group B. Mean gestational age in females with oligohydramnios(Group A) was 35.3±1weeks while it was 36.7±0.6 in  females with normal amount of liquor (Group B). In Group A, 17(42.5%) females were Primigravida and 23(57.5%) were multigravida while in Group B, 22 (55%) were Primigravida and 18 (45%) were Multigravidas. It was observed that adverse fetal outcomes such as abnormal CTG, presence of meconium, fetal distress and low birth weight were significantly higher in Group A compared with Group B.(Fig 1)

Conclusion: Oligohydramnios is significantly associated with adverse fetal outcomes. So, once it is diagnosed it needs careful evaluation and fetal surveillance in antenatal and intrapartum period to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Keywords:

   Fetal distress, Low Birth Weight, Meconium, Oligohydramnios