Pregnancy outcomes after antepartum diagnosis of oligohydramnios at or beyond 34 weeks' gestation

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess whether antepartum oligohydramnios is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Women delivered between July 1, 1991, and September 30, 1996, who underwent ultrasonography at greater than or equal to 34 weeks' gestation were analyzed. Oligohydramnios was defined as an amniotic fluid index less than or equal to 50 mm. Perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with oligohydramnios were compared with those with an amniotic fluid index of >50 mm. RESULTS: In our analysis of 6423 pregnancies, 147 (2.3%) were complicated by oligohydramnios. This complication was associated with increased labor induction (42% vs 18%, P < .001), stillbirth (1.4% vs 0.3%; P < .03), nonreassuring fetal heart rate (48% vs 39%; P < .03), admission to the neonatal intensive care nursery (7% vs 2%; P < .001), meconium aspiration syndrome (1% vs 0.1%; P < .001), and neonatal death (5% vs 0.3%; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Antepartum oligohydramnios is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality.