Amniotic fluid volume at 41 weeks and infant outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness of amniotic fluid index (AFI) in the assessment of postdate pregnancies.


METHODS
A prospective, observational study was carried out on the AFI of 118 well-dated postdate pregnancies at 41 weeks within 2 days of delivery. The AFI quartile distribution was determined and correlated with the risk of thick meconium-stained liquor (MSL), intervention for fetal distress and admission to the special care baby unit (SCBU).


RESULTS
The median AFI was 8 cm, with a range from 1-33 cm. There was a significant inverse correlation between the occurrence of thick MSL, intervention for fetal distress and SCBU admission. Logistic regression analysis, upon adjusting for possible confounding factors, showed that only AFI in the 2 lower quartiles combined (< or = 8 cm) had a significant association with the risk of thick MSL (adjusted OR 11.0, 95th CI 2.43-49.8) but not admission to the SCBU. AFI in the lowest quartile (< or = 5 cm) had a significant association with the risk of intervention for fetal distress only (adjusted OR 7.95, 95th CI 1.67-37.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Although AFI may be used to predict the occurrence of thick MSL and the need for intervention for fetal distress in postdate pregnancies, its role on its own is limited.
Lam
Helena
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR. lamswh@yahoo.com.hk
Leung
Wing-Cheong
WC
Lee
Chi-Peng
CP
Lao
Terence Tsi-Hei
TT
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008470:Meconium; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011273:Pregnancy, Prolonged / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies