Amniotic Fluid Volume Disorders: Causes and Effects
Background: Amniotic fluid is the protective liquid contained by the amniotic sac of a gravid uterus. It is necessary for human fetal growth and development. The amniotic fluid volume (AFV) depends on the gestational age. AFV can be altered in various abnormal situations and may lead to many adverse perinatal outcomes. Methods: A retrospective observational study was done on the admitted patients of Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obs and Gynae, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh, during the year 2020. With due permission from department of Obs and Gynae and ethical clearance from appropriate committee, records of admitted patients with abnormal amniotic fluid volume were reviewed and analyzed for evaluation of their underlying etiologies and subsequent outcome of these pregnancies. Results: Among total 656 admitted patients, 130 (19.8%) had oligohydramnios and 27 (4.1%) had polyhydramnios. 76.9% of oligohydramnios was due to prelabour rupture of membrane. Other associated conditions of oligohydramnios were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and growth restricted fetus (11.5%), Diabetic disorders (10.0%), Anomalous fetus (8.5%) and undetermined causes (2.3%). Polyhydramnios was mainly associated with fetal anomaly (59.3%) but a little percentage was associated with gestational diabetes (14.8%), multiple pregnancies (11.1%), chorioangioma (3.7%) and undetermined (11.1%) causes. Among 83 deliveries of oligohydramnios cases, 63 (75.9%) babies were born alive and 20(24.1%) were stillbirth. 29 (34.93%) of the live babies needed admission in NICU and 9 (10.84%) of them died during their neonatal period. From 20 delivered polyhydramnios cases 10 (50.00%) babies were born alive and 10 (50.00%) were stillbirth. 5 (25.00%) of the live babies needed admission in NICU and 4 (20.00%) of them died during their neonatal period. Discussion: From the current study and previous studies, results showed that some abnormalities of pregnancies are almost always present with amniotic fluid volume disorders and subsequently lead to a considerable number of adverse perinatal outcomes. Conclusion: It is important to keep an eye on amniotic fluid index for better pregnancy outcome.
