Background: Oligohydramnios has invariably been associated with adverse perinatal outcome such as fetal distress (ante/intra-partum fetal heart rate decelerations, meconium passage and cord compression). The current study aimed to determine the effects of intravenous maternal hydration on amniotic fluid volume in pregnancies above 34 weeks manifested with decreased amniotic fluid index (AFI).
Patients and methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial included 42 pregnant women who were diagnosed to have oligohydramnios by ultrasound. They attended Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Mansoura University Hospitals from November 2019 to December 2021. The participants were divided into 3 groups: Group A with 14 women allocated to infusion of normal saline and Ringer's solution for 1liter/day for 1 week, Group B with 14 women allocated to infusion of normal saline and Ringer's solution for 3liter/day for 1 week, and Group C with 14 Fourteen women as a control group.
Results: The mean AFI in Group A before treatment was 4.54 (SD 0.58), in Group B was 4.46 (SD 0.54) and in Group C was 4.72 (SD 0.375), with no significant difference between the three groups (P1=0.692, P2=0.344 and P3=0.183), as P1: difference between group A and B, P2: Between group A and C and P3: difference between group B and C. There were statistically significant increases in AFI in Group A and Group B in comparison with the control group (P<0.05) after 48 hours and 1 week of hydration. However, no significant difference was recorded among Groups A and B as regards AFI.
Conclusion: Applying normal saline and Ringer's solution is safe and effective method on mothers with isolated oligohydramnios and gestational age above 34 weeks, and could eliminate the need to terminate the pregnancy before term, which has terrible consequences on the mother and the fetus.