A Comparative Study on Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Oral Hydration Therapy With Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)...

Introduction Oligohydramnios, a condition characterized by reduced amniotic fluid volume, is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, including increased rates of cesarean section, fetal distress, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions. Maternal hydration therapy, particularly oral rehydration solution (ORS), has been proposed as a simple and cost-effective intervention to improve the amniotic fluid index (AFI) and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by isolated oligohydramnios. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ORS therapy compared to no hydration in term pregnancies with isolated oligohydramnios. Materials and methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Shri B.M. Patil Medical College and Hospital, India. A total of 60 pregnant women with singleton term pregnancies (37-40 weeks) diagnosed with isolated oligohydramnios (AFI 5-8 cm) were randomized into two groups: Group 1 (ORS Therapy, n=30) received ORS (2 liters/day for 3 days), while Group 2 (no hydration, n=30) followed a routine dietary intake. AFI was measured at baseline and after 72 hours. Secondary outcomes included mode of delivery, birth weight, NICU admissions, Apgar scores, and umbilical artery blood gas analysis. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics v. 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US), with a p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results ORS therapy significantly increased AFI after 72 hours (p=0.026). Spontaneous vaginal delivery was higher in the ORS group (50%) compared to the no hydration group (33.3%), while cesarean section rates were lower (23.3% vs. 46.7%). NICU admissions were significantly reduced in the ORS group (23.3% vs. 50%; p=0.0321), and birth weight <2.5 kg was less frequent (13.3% vs. 36.7%; p=0.0368). Umbilical artery blood gas analysis showed better fetal oxygenation in the ORS group (p<0.05). Conclusion ORS therapy is an effective, non-invasive intervention for increasing AFI, reducing cesarean rates, and improving neonatal outcomes in term pregnancies with isolated oligohydramnios. Given its affordability and safety, ORS therapy should be considered a first-line treatment before invasive interventions. Further large-scale trials are needed to establish standardized protocols for its use in obstetric practice.