THE EFFECT OF UNCOMPLICATED OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS ON PERINATAL OUTCOME

Objective: To evaluate the effect of oligohydramnios on perinatal outcome. Study Design: A prospective cohort study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology CMH Okara and PNS Shifa, Karachi from Jan 2014 – Dec 2014. Patients and Methods: All at term (>37 weeks) gestation uncomplicated singleton pregnancies who were booked before 16 weeks of gestation, and had no associated medical illness were included in the study. Patients with history of premature rupture of membranes (PROM), previous history of preterm delivery or any associated medical illness were excluded from the study. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of the patients who met the inclusion criteria and had uncomplicated oligohydroamnios, and group B includes the patients with normal amniotic fluid volume (no oligohydroamnios). Perinatal outcome and demographic and socioeconomic features of both groups were compared. Results: Total 226 women fulfilled the criteria and were recruited in the study with 106 in group A and 120 in group B. When the results of the two groups were compared, group A had low birth weight babies and were delivered at slightly earlier gestation and had higher incidence of meconium staining of liquor. They had higher caesarean section and induction rate as compared to group B. While there was no statistical difference in the APGAR score of the babies at birth or IUD rates and NICU admissions in the groups. Conclusion: Isolated oligohydramnios at term is not associated with adverse perinatal outcome but there is low birth weight and increased rates of caesarean section and meconium staining associated with it.