title: Toward consistent terminology: assessment and reporting of amniotic fluid volume.
abstract: Amniotic fluid is typically measured by ultrasound using the amniotic fluid index (AFI) or the maximum vertical pocket (MVP). Although both parameters correlate poorly with the actual amniotic fluid volume measured with dye-dilution methods, cross-sectional studies have been used to establish gestational norms. The current acceptable definition of polyhydramnios in the late second and the third trimester in both singleton and multiple gestations is a MVP > 8 cm, while the definition of oligohydramnios is a MVP < 2 cm. The pocket to be measured should exclude the umbilical cord or fetal parts. Randomized clinical trials have indicated that defining oligohydramnios as a MVP < 2 cm will result in fewer obstetrical interventions and similar perinatal outcomes when compared to an AFI < 5 cm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, UT Health School of Medicine, 6410 Fannin, Suite 210, Houston, TX 77030; Texas Fetal Center, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX. Electronic address: Kenneth.J.Moise@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Moise
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006831:Polyhydramnios / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards
keywords: Amniotic fluid; Amniotic fluid index; Deepest vertical pocket; Maximum vertical pocket