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Oligohydramnios and the appropriately grown fetus
S H Garmel1, D Chelmow, S J Sha
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New England Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
American Journal of Perinatology
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Isolated oligohydramnios before 37 weeks gestation increases the risk of premature delivery. However, it does not appear to raise the risk of intrauterine growth restriction, fetal death, or birth asphyxia.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Oligohydramnios, defined as low amniotic fluid volume, can have significant perinatal implications.
- The specific risks of isolated oligohydramnios before 37 weeks gestation, excluding other complications, remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the perinatal outcomes of isolated oligohydramnios diagnosed before 37 weeks gestation.
- To compare outcomes in pregnancies with oligohydramnios to a control group with normal amniotic fluid volume.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 65 women with oligohydramnios (amniotic fluid index ≤ 8 cm) and a matched control group.
- Expectant management with fetal monitoring and serial ultrasounds for fetal growth, with delivery not induced solely for oligohydramnios before 37 weeks.
Main Results:
- Women with isolated oligohydramnios before 37 weeks had a significantly higher incidence of premature delivery (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.4-7.3).
- No increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine death, or birth asphyxia was observed in the oligohydramnios group.
Conclusions:
- Isolated oligohydramnios prior to 37 weeks gestation is associated with an elevated risk of preterm birth.
- Expectant management appears safe, as isolated oligohydramnios without other complications does not significantly increase risks of fetal growth restriction, demise, or birth asphyxia.