Isolated Oligohydramnios in Low-risk Pregnancy as a Predictor of Adverse Perinatal Outcome

Min, Joo Young; Oh, Min Jeung; Cho, Geun Joon; Lee, Jae Kwan; Lee, Kyung Ju; Kim, Hai Joong; Hur, Jun Young; Saw, Ho Suk; Park, Yong Kyun

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to assess whether isolated oligohydramnios is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in low-risk term pregnancy.
METHODS
Women delivered between March 2001 and July 2003, who underwent ultrasonography from 37 to 41(+6) weeks gestation were analyzed. Women undergoing labor induction for oligohydramnios were matched by gestational age and parity to women with normal amniotic fluid index measurements. Oligohydramnios was defined as an amniotic fluid index (AFI) RESULTS
A total of 121 pregnant women were evaluated. Among them 21 in oligohydramnios group defined as AFI 5.0 cm with respect to maternal age, parity, nulliparity, gestational age at delivery. The study (N=21) and control groups (N=100) had similar the primary outcome (rate of total cesarean delivery and rate of cesarean delivery for fetal distress) as well as the secondary outcome variables such as birthweight, Apgar score<7 at 5-min, meconium stained amniotic fluid, and NICU admission >8 day. There were no differences between pregnancies with 5th percentile of AFI with respect to maternal age, parity, nulliparity, and the secondary outcome variables such as birthweight, Apgar score<7 at 5-min, meconium stained amniotic fluid, and NICU admission >8 day. However, pregnancies with 5th percentile of AFI. Rate of cesarean delivery for fetal distress was not significantly different in the two groups.
CONCLUSION
We demonstrated that oligohydramnios in low-risk term pregnancy does not affect the increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, isolated oligohydramnios may not be a marker for fetal compromise in low-risk term pregnancy, and induction of labor may not be warranted in most cases.