Effect of Amino Acid Infusion on Amniotic Fluid Index in Pregnancies Associated With Oligohydramnios and Fetal Growth Restriction

Background Oligohydramnios and fetal growth restriction have been known for ages, with increased risk of disease and death during antenatal, neonatal, and adult life leading to operative interventions and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The amniotic fluid index varies with gestational age and is used to detect fetal well-being. Various oral and IV hydration and amino acid infusion therapies are studied to improve amniotic fluid index (AFI) and fetal weight. Objective To study the effect of intravenous amino acid infusion on AFI in pregnancies associated with oligohydramnios and fetal growth restriction (FGR). Material and methods A semi-experimental study done in Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH), Sawangi Meghe, Wardha enrolled pregnant women in the in-patient department (IPD) unit of Obstetrics & Gynecology and divided them into two groups of 52 each, which met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A received IV amino acid infusion on an alternate day, whereas group B received IV hydration, and serial monitoring was done till delivery. Results The mean gestational age at admission was 32.73 ± 2.21 in the IV amino acid group and 32.25 ± 2.27 in the IV hydration group. In both groups, the mean AFI at admission was observed at 4.93±2.03 cm and 4.22 ± 2.00 cm, respectively. The mean AFI on the 14th day in the IV amino acid group was 7.52 ± 2.04, and in the IV hydration group, 5.89± 2.20 with a significant p-value of <0.0001.