Pregnancy Outcome after Antepartum Diagnosis of Oligohydramnios Amniotic Fluid Index less than5 CM at or beyond 34 Weeks of Gestation

Oligohydramnios refers to amniotic fluid volume that is less than expected for gestational age. It is typically diagnosed by ultrasound examination and described quantitatively. This study is conducted to determine whether a low AFI in the absence of any high risk factors has any significant effect on obstetric outcome. This prospective case control study was conducted at Rajah Muthiah medical college hospital, Annamalai nagar over a period of 24 months. This study consists of an analysis of pregnancy outcome in 50 cases with diagnosis of oligohydramnios by ultrasound after 34 weeks of gestation compared with 50 controls with no oligohydramnios and matched for other variables like age, parity& gestational age. An amniotic fluid volume more than the two standard deviation below the mean for specific gestation age or volume reduced below 5th percentile for particular gestational age would define oligohydramnios. Volume less than 300ml at term would constitute oligohydramnios. The incidence varies from 0.5 % to 5 %.