Amniotic fluid index (AFI) in postdates pregnancy - abstract

ABSTRACT

This a prospective evaluation of the relationship between the amniotic fluid index (AFI) and perinatal outcome in 55 patients managed at the Obstetrical Unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The subjects had an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy and early confirmation of gestational age by ultrasound. Forty-two patients had delivered by 41 weeks and the remaining thirteen by 42 weeks. The gravid abdomen was divided into four quadrants, using realtime ultrasound with a 3.5 Mhz transducer, the largest pocket of amniotic fluid in each quadrant was measured and their sum totalled to arrive at the AFI. The pregnancies were managed without knowledge of this evaluation. Perinatal outcome was assessed by the presence of meconium-stained liquor and its aspiration, intrapartum foetal delivery, low APGAR scores at delivery, the need for admission to the nursery and perinatal death. AFI in this study ranged from 2.8 cm to 22.6 cm. The mean for 41 weeks was 13.52 ñ 4.6 cm and for 42 weeks was 9.93 ñ 4.37 cm. Oligohydramnios was noted in four patients, AFI < 5.3 cm. Two of these cases developed intrapartum foetal distress and had Caesarian Section. All four babies were admitted with meconium aspiration, and one died from this complication (AU)