ULTRASONOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF AMNIOTIC FLUID INDEX IN POST DATE PREGNANCIES

Amniotic Fluid Index

Abstract

Objective: To assess fetal outcome in postdate pregnancies (40 weeks and beyond) with women having amniotic fluid index (AFI) < 6 cm and between 6-15cm using greyscale ultrasound.

Study Design: Cross-sectional comparative study.

Place and Duration of Study: CMH Rawalpindi from 26 October 2006 to 09 May 2007.

Material and Methods: A total of 60 patients were studied. The antenatal fetal surveillance in these patients was based on ultrasound assessment of AFI after 40 weeks. An abnormal AFI was defined as less than 6 cm, between 6-8 cm as equivocal and more than or equal to 8 as normal. Patients were equally divided into two groups of 30 each based on AFI as group I having AFI <6 cm and group II with AFI of 6-15 cms. Delivery mode, fetal distress and early neonatal complications were main assessment parameters for the fetus.

Results: Rate of caesarean section (50%) in the women with AFI< 6 cm was found significantly higher than 17% rate of caesarean section of the women having AFI > 6 cm .Proportion of early neonatal complications was also significantly higher in the women with AFI< 6 cm.

Conclusion: AFI assessment by ultrasound is a reliable fetal surveillance test. It may allow the conservative approach till 42 weeks to reduce the caesarean section rate and neonatal complications.