To Evaluate the Relationship between Amniotic Fluid Volume as Determined by Ultrasound Studies and Perinatal Outcome

Relationship between Amniotic Fluid Volume as Determined by Ultrasound Studies and Perinatal Outcome

Abstract

Background: Amniotic fluid is easily identified by current diagnostic ultrasound methods. Accurate antepartum estimation of amniotic fluid volume by clinical means alone is exceedingly difficult. The purpose of the study is to determine the relationship between amniotic fluid volume as determined by ultrasound studies and perinatal outcome. Subjects and Methods: The  present  study  was  conducted  on 100 cases of Polyhydramnios in  the  Department  of  Obstetrics  and  Gynaecology, Mahila Chikshalya, Jaipur during the period of one year. The amniotic fluid index (AFI) is a semiquantitative technique to assess the amniotic fluid volume. Possibility of Polyhydramnios will be concerned when the AFI was more than 95th percentile for the gestational age. Gestational age was established by a reliable last menstrual period or the patients ultrasound examination. Results: Majority of the cases was diagnosed at term and these were mild polyhydramnios. Majority of severe polyhydramnios were diagnosed at less than 37 weeks. Mild polyhydramnios is most commonly associated with alive babies (55 cases), after that perinatal death (23 cases) are common with mild polyhydramnios. Conclusion: We concluded that ultrasonography is the best means for early detection of polyhydramnios. Simple observer judgement of an excessive amount of amniotic fluid by an experienced sonographer is a useful means for identification of high risk cases and may often lead to a successful search for congenital anomalies.