Effect of oral hydration therapy in isolated Oligohydramnios: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate maternal oral hydration therapy for improving AFI in cases of isolated oligohydramnios and their fetomaternal outcome. Methods: A randomized controlled study was carried out on 100 antenatal women with singleton pregnancy and gestational age ≥32 weeks with isolated oligohydramnios (AFI < 5). Subjects were divided into two equal groups A and B. Subjects in group A acted as controls. Subjects in study group B were asked to drink two litres of water over six hours for seven days, apart from their daily fluid intake. AFI measurement was carried out on day zero and day seven. All the subjects were followed up till delivery for maternal and fetal outcome. Results: A significant improvement in AFI was observed after 7 days in the oral hydration group as compared to controls (7.08 ± 0.21cm vs. 5.0 ± 0.20 cm, p >0.001) which helped in prolongation of pregnancy till term. The mean AFI at the time of termination in control group was 2.72 ±1.88 cm as compared to 5.6 ±2.14 cm in study group. A significantly greater number of women went into spontaneous labour (68.1% vs. 39.1% in the study and control group respectively, p=0.007) after hydration therapy and the incidence of meconium staining of liqour and fetal distress during labour was also significantly lesser. Conclusion: Oral hydration therapy improves the AFI as well as the fetomaternal outcome.