[Outcome after artificial amniotic fluid instillation in early oligohydramnios]

We report on the foetal outcome of 50 pregnancies with severe oligohydramnios in the second and early third trimesters in which artificial fluid instillation (AFI) had been performed. Through the AFI, rapid diagnosis was possible or was made easier or additional malformations were detected or could be excluded. The AFI-associated risk was an induction of labour and a possible iatrogenic rupture of membranes in 3/50 cases. A total of 47 pregnancies could be evaluated to the end, 37 ended in intrauterine death, spontaneous abortion or, in case of a diagnosed lethal malformation, in induced abortion. Ten babies were born alive, but within a period of six months 6 of them died. From the total group, 4 children (8%) are alive and healthy. Survivors are from pregnancies with PROM, with severe IUGR or from the group of idiopathic oligohydramnios. Twenty-seven foetuses had structural, chromosomal or functional anomalies (urogenital, intestinal, heart, skeletal, central nervous, complex malformations). Our data demonstrate a poor prognosis in case of early oligohydramnios. AFI enables early and correct diagnosis. It provides a better basis for counselling and managing of these pregnancies. The risk of AFI with possible induction of labour and iatrogenic rupture of membranes has to be considered both in indication and counselling. However, the risk is limited with regard to the very poor prognosis even without invasive diagnosis.