Role of amniotic fluid index in pregnancy outcome

Background: Amniotic fluid is vital to the well-being of the fetus. Disorders of liquor amnii has a significant impact on pregnancy and fetus, it prompted us to carry out this study with sincere efforts to find out its effect on pregnancy outcome. Aim and objectives: To find out incidence of polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios in our setup and to study possible etiological factors for abnormal AFI. Material and methods: We performed a study on 200 patients over a period of one year. Detailed history, general examination and local examination were done. All the cases were subjected to ultrasonography to see for maturity, AFI, congenital anomalies. Analysis were made regarding mode of delivery and perinatal outcome which includes maturity, birth weight, incidence of SGA or macrosomia, NICU admission, maconium stained amniotic fluid, low apgar score, incidence of birth asphyxia and congenital anomalies. Results: There were total 82 cases of oligohydramnios and 18 cases of polyhydramnios. And 100 cases with normal AFI. In ultrasonography 154 cases had full term maturity and 46 cases were preterm 82 cases had AFI ?5 cm, 18 cases had AFI ?24, and 100 cases had AFI between 6-23. Conclusion: Amniotic fluid index assessment has become an important part of ante-partum fetal surveillance and also it has a prognostic value for fetal and newborn outcome.