The effect of maternal intravenous hydration on amniotic fluid index in oligohydramnios

OBJECTIVE: Assessing amniotic fluid determines an important dimension of fetal health. Significant relationships of oligohydramnios, which occurs in 1–2% of pregnancies, with abnormal pregnancy outcomes such as intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), fetal anomalies, umbilical cord compression, fetal distress, preterm childbirth, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, perinatal mortality and cesarean section necessitate the measurement of amniotic fluid volume in many prenatal fetal health assessments. Amniotic fluid volume may significantly fluctuate between different gestational ages. Reduced uteroplacental perfusion can cause oligohydramnios by decreasing fetal renal blood flow and urine output. The appropriate management of isolated term oligohydramnios (ITO) is controversial. This study was performed aimed to assess the effect of maternal intravenous hydration on amniotic fluid index in oligohydramnios. RESULT: Forty-eight hours after completing fluid therapy, statistically significant differences were observed in the mean AFI in the intervention group (4.06 ± 0.33) and the control group (3.61 ± 0.35) (P < 0.0001) and also between the intervention group (0.532 ± 0.45) and the controls (−0.036 ± 0.18) (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggested that maternal intravenous hydration significantly increases AFI in women with oligohydramnios.