Clinical efficacy and reliability of amniotic fluid index (AFI) as labour admission test in correlation to perinatal outcome

Abstract

Background: Ideal Labour admission test (LAT) is the tool to identify labouring mothers at risk for adverse perinatal outcome so as to strategise and manage course of labour. Amniotic fluid index (AFI) is an important factor in biophysical profile during antenatal foetal surveillance. The present study is undertaken to determine the efficacy and reliability of Amniotic fluid index as LAT and it’s relation to perinatal outcome. Material and Methods: This Two years prospective observational study where 500 cases fulfilling exclusion and inclusion criterias were included. The AFI was calculated for all patients in active labor by USG and grouped into ≤ 5 (GpA), 6-8(Gp B), ≥ 9 (Gp C). After confinement, details of the labor, delivery and neonatal outcome were recorded to derive conclusion. Results: Among 500 cases, 43(8.6%) were in Gp A, 153(30.6%) in Gp B, rest 304 (60.8%) were in Gp C category. Gp A had significantly high nonreactive NST in 33(76.7%),Meconium stained liquor in 32(74.4%%), emerency LSCS in 34 (79%) cases in comparison to 38.6%, 41.2% and 22.2% in Gp B and further low in Gp C. Significant neonatal morbidity, in terms of low Apgar score