Oligohydramnios: a potential marker for serious obstetric complications

The objectives of the present study were to look into the frequency of oligohydramnios and pregnancy outcome in these cases. Analysis of outcome of prospective cases of pregnancy beyond 28 weeks with oligohydramnios over 2 years and cases admitted over the previous 5 years was done. The incidence of oligohydramnios over 7 years was 4.45%, 4.9% in retrospective and 4% in prospective cases: 38% retrospective and 31.5% of prospective cases were complicated by intrapartum meconium. Abruptio placenta had occurred in 9.8% retrospective and 8.3% prospective cases. Labour was induced in 18.2% of retrospective cases and 13.9% prospective cases. The caesarean section rate (CSR) with spontaneous labour was 42.4% in the retrospective and 50.4% in the prospective cases and with induced labour 38.5% in the retrospective, 29.3% in the prospective cases. Perinatal mortality rate (PMR) in cases of oligohydramnios was 87.7 and 4.15% babies had congenital anomalies. Overall labour induction was needed more often, and abruptio placenta, CSR, PMR and congenital anomalies were high in oligohydramnios. More studies about the causes and effects of oligohydramnios and preventive modalities are needed.