Amnioinfusion in severe oligohydramnios with intact membrane: an observational study

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this article was to evaluate the outcome of transabdominal amnioinfusion in pregnant patients with oligohydramnios.

Method

This is a prospective observational study involving 80 cases of oligohydramnios treated with transabdominal amnioinfusion guided by ultrasound, in the period between 2011 and 2016. The patients were treated in two centers; however, all the procedures were performed by the same operator.

Results

The mean gestational age at the first treatment was 24 weeks. Some patients received more than one amnioinfusion. The mean interval between the first infusion and delivery was 31 d. Perinatal and neonatal mortalities were 45% and 35%, respectively. There were five cases of chorioamnioitis and in majority of the cases; the final diagnosis was made after amnioinfusion.

Conclusion

The procedure has been proven to be very safe. The result showed a high perinatal mortality which was not surprising, as these pregnancies were complicated by a major fetal malformation. Significantly, this study showed that the diagnosis accuracy of the concomitant congenital fetal malformation was significantly improved. The diagnosis accuracy had a major impact on the management of patients, especially the mode of delivery.

Keywords:

• Transabdominal amnioinfusion
• oligohydramnios
• pregnancy outcome
• perinatal mortality
• perinatal morbidity

Ethical approval

All patients gave consent before amnioinfusion. No ethical approval obtained.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest with regard to this observational study.

Additional information

Funding

Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.