LOW AMNIOTIC FLUID INDEX (AFI) AS A PREDICTOR OF ADVERSE FETAL OUTCOMES IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the association of low Amniotic Fluid Index with adverse fetal outcome in females presenting in third trimester of pregnancy.

Study Design: Prospective comparative study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, CMH Hyderabad, from Apr to Sep 2018.

Methodology: A total of 178 pregnant patients with parity <5, presenting at gestational age between 37-42 weeks with singleton pregnancy were included in the study. Patients with multiple pregnancy, intrauterine fetal anomaly or fetal demise, ruptured membranes, placental abruption, gestational hypertension, and diabetes were excluded. Patients were divided into 2 groups of 89 patients each i.e. group A with Amniotic Fluid Index ≤5cm and group B with Amniotic Fluid Index from 11-21 cm. Frequencies of adverse fetal outcomes in both groups were recorded.

Results: The frequency of low Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration (APGAR) score was 15.73% in group A versus 3.39% in the group B (p=0.005) while abnormal fetal heart rate (FHR) was seen in 29.21% patients amongst group A versus 13.48% in group B (p=0.010). The rate of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission was 15.73% in group A as compared to 4.49% in group B (p=0.013), while meconium stained liquor was 41.57% in group A versus 13.48% in group B (p<0.01). All adverse fetal outcomes varied between the two groups by a statistically significant proportion.

Conclusion: Amniotic Fluid Index of ≤5 cm was found to be a reliable predictor of adverse fetal outcomes in the last trimester of pregnancy. Keywords: , ,.