PREGNANCY OUTCOME FOLLOWING INDUCTION OF LABOUR IN OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS AND BORDERLINE LIQUOR AT TERM: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the feto-maternal outcome after induction of labor in oligohydramnios and borderline liquorat term. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study was conducted in a medical college and general hospital with women of 37-42 weeks' gestation. The amniotic fluid index (AFI) was determined in all cases using the four-quadrant technique. The cases were divided into two groups based on their AFI. Oligohydramnios group (n=102) with AFI ≤ 5 cm and borderline liquor group (n=99) with AFI of 5.1 to 8 cm. Induction of labor was done by misoprostol in all cases. Different maternal outcomes like mode of delivery, indication for operative or instrumental delivery, meconium stained liquor and perinatal outcomes were compared in between the two groups.RESULTS: The two groups were similar with regard to maternal age, parity, and gestational age. Meconium staining of the amniotic fluid was significantly higher in the group with AFI < 5 cm (p = 0.05). The number of cesarean deliveries and incidence non-reassuring fetal heart (fetal distress) were similar in both the groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to Apgar scores or admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). CONCLUSION: Induction of labor at term in women with oligohydramnios is associated with an increased incidence of meconium staining of the amniotic fluid but the risk of cesarean delivery or fetal distress it is not increased as compared with borderline liquor.