ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

Because of oligohydramnios is frequently used to identify fetuses at risk of an adverse outcome in high risk pregnancies, it is considered as an indication for induction of labor. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of uncomplicated oligohydramnios (isolated) on the perinatal outcome in cases undergoing induction of labor at term.

METHODS:

In this prospective study, 125 cases with isolated oligohydramnios (amniotic fluid index [AFI] ≤5 cm) and 125 cases with normal AFI (AFI >5 cm) were assessed. All patients had a favorable cervix (Bishop score >4) and underwent oxytocin induction following amniotomy. The mode of delivery, presence of non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing, indication for cesarean delivery, birth weight of neonate, presence of small for gestational age (SGA), Apgar score at 1 and 5 min, and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were compared between two groups.

RESULTS:

The non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing rate of study group was significantly higher than that of controls (p=0.02). The incidence of Apgar score<7 at 1 min (p=0.01) and cesarean rate for fetal distress (p=0.01) were significantly higher in study group. Using logistic regression analysis, both of findings remained statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS:

Between 37-40 weeks, isolated oligohydramnios seems to be a risk factor for adverse perinatal outcome in patients who underwent induction of labor.