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[Routine measurement of the biggest amniotic fluid pocket in the 3d trimester: prognostic significance?]
A F Haenel1, C Fässli, U Herrmann
1Bürgerspital Solothurn, Bern, Schweiz.
The largest pocket of amniotic fluid was measured routinely during the last trimester of pregnancy in 577 patients representing risk and nonrisk cases. The measurements were performed at two clinics between 26 and 42 weeks of gestational age. A statistically significant relationship between a value of less than 30 mm and the following perinatal parameters was found: 5-min Apgar score less than 7, umbilical cord blood pH values less than 7.15, severe neonatal complications, intrauterine growth retardation, perinatal mortality. The good predictive value of decreased amniotic fluid measured by the largest pocket, and the simple practicability of the method raise the question whether the largest pocket of amniotic fluid should not be assessed routinely at each ultrasound examination during the last trimester. The consequences of a decreased value are discussed.
The largest pocket of amniotic fluid was measured routinely during the last trimester of pregnancy in 577 patients representing risk and nonrisk cases. The measurements were performed at two clinics between 26 and 42 weeks of gestational age. A statistically significant relationship between a value of less than 30 mm and the following perinatal parameters was found: 5-min Apgar score less than 7, umbilical cord blood pH values less than 7.15, severe neonatal complications, intrauterine growth retardation, perinatal mortality. The good predictive value of decreased amniotic fluid measured by the largest pocket, and the simple practicability of the method raise the question whether the largest pocket of amniotic fluid should not be assessed routinely at each ultrasound examination during the last trimester. The consequences of a decreased value are discussed.