Background: An essential component of the amniotic sac, amniotic fluid (AF) aids in the growth of the developing fetus. The volume of amniotic fluid (AFV) can be measured using a variety of methods. Objective: To determine which is better in assessment of amniotic fluid volume, amniotic fluid index technique (AFI) or single deepest vertical pocket technique (SDVP) for prediction of fetal outcome in low-risk pregnancies.
Patients and Methods: This work is a randomized comparative trial done at Zagazig University Hospitals on 240 pregnant women. Group (A): (Amniotic fluid index group); 120 women. Group (B): (Single deepest pocket group); 120 women. Ultrasound was used to measure amniotic fluid either by AFI or SDP methods. Cardiotocography (CTG) was used to observe fetus intrapartum and Apgar score was used to assess infant post-partum.
Results: mean AFI was 8.8 cm in group A, mean SDP was 3.8 in group B. There was high statistically significant difference between study groups in amniotic fluid assessment. A group had significantly more oligohydramnios than B group. There was high statistically significant difference between study groups in CTG assessment of oligohydramnios cases. Oligohydramnios cases in A group had significantly more reassuring CTG than oligohydramnios cases in B group. In the A group, the difference between normal and abnormal AF was highly statistically significant.
Conclusion: Oligohydramnios and labour inductions for oligohydramnios were increased by using the AFI method, however perinatal outcomes did not improve. Therefore, the SDP approach is the best way for determining amniotic fluid volume.