Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of amniotic fluid index (AFI) (<5) for adverse perinatal outcome in terms of cesarean section for fetal distress, birth weight, meconium staining, Apgar scores, and cord pH at birth. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 200 antenatal women booked at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital during the years 2009-2011 with gestational age between 34 and 41 weeks. The women's history, clinical examination recorded, and AFI were measured and the perinatal outcome was compared between two groups, i.e., AFI < 5 and >5. RESULTS: The cesarean section rate for fetal distress and low birth weight babies, <2.5 kg, was higher in patients with oligohydramnios (p = 0.048, 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in meconium staining, Apgar score at 5 min <7, and cord pH at birth between the two groups (p = 0.881, 0.884, 0.764, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Oligohydramnios has a significant correlation with cesarean section for fetal distress and low birth weight babies.