Fetal and maternal outcomes in oligohydramnios pregnancy (37-40 weeks of gestation)‎ at labor

Abstract EN

Background: The role of amniotic fluid is to provide a protective environment for fetus growth.

The low volume of amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) has been reported to associate with perinatal and neonatal outcomes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of oligohydramnios on fetal outcomes at intrapartum and early neonate, including fetal distress.

Materials and Methods: In the present investigation, the pregnant women who attended the labor ward of Duhok Maternity Hospital were consecutively screened for eligibility criteria.

The patients presented with oligohydramnios from 37 to 40 weeks of gestation to labor room were included in this study and were followed up for neonatal outcomes.

The diagnosis of oligohydramnios was established as an amniotic fluid index of 5 cm or less by the ultrasound examination.

Results: The mean age of the women with oligohydramnios was 26.10 ± 5.20 years ranged between 16 and 40.

The mean age of the gestational age was 38.54 ± 1.13 weeks ranging from 37 to 40.

The previous history of a dead newborn was so low (mean: 0.02 ± 0.14).

Half of the patients delivered their pregnancies by cesarean section (C/S) (50.5%), and most of them had a good Apgar score value (98.8%).

The study showed that women who had a past medical history or delivered by C/S, their newborns were more likely to admit to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), 36.8% versus 12.1% (P = 0.017) and 78.9% versus 21.1% (P = 0.010), respectively.

Conclusions: The present study recommends that pregnant patients diagnosed with oligohydramnios are at a higher risk of C/S and NICU admission