Prevalence Rate, Probable Causes, and Perinatal Outcomes in Women With Oligohydramnios in Labor.

BACKGROUND

Oligohydramnios is a common clinical condition among pregnant women. It has direct effects on maternal and fetal outcomes. The related complications in women with oligohydramnios have not been determined sufficiently in developing countries yet. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, portable causes, and perinatal outcomes among women with oligohydramnios.

METHODOLOGY

In this follow-up cross-sectional study, pregnant women with oligohydramnios were monitored until delivery at the Duhok Maternity Teaching Hospital to assess the outcomes of oligohydramnios between May 2022 and May 2023. The patients of this study were included through a purposive sampling technique.

RESULTS

More than half (121, 60.5%) of the participants were aged between 20 and 29 years. The gravidity range of the studied pregnant women was 1-9. A total of 156 (78.0%) women have had a history of one to three pregnancies. More than half (102, 51.0%) of studied pregnant women were nulliparous. The study found that 92 (46.0%) had preterm births and the remaining women had term births (108, 54.0%). The most common medical problems among studied pregnant women with oligohydramnios were hypertension (14, 7.0%) and hyperthyroidism (7, 3.5%), and the most common surgical problems were cesarean section (30, 15.0%) and appendectomy (14, 7.0%). The highest prevalence of AFI was 3 cm (84, 42.0%) and 4 cm (82, 41.0%) followed by 2 cm (34, 17.0%). The most prevalent ultrasound finding was fetal hypoxia in 41 (21.5%) women. Most patients' Doppler ultrasound was normal (150, 75.0%).  The study found that 187 (93.5%) pregnancies ended with the birth of live babies and 6.5% (13) of the newborns died. Only three newborn babies (1.5%) reported with low Apgar scores. Low birth weight was reported in 56 (28.0%) newborn babies. The proportion of cesarean sections among women was 94 (47.0%). A total of 117 (58.5%) newborn babies were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for intensive care.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that a considerable percentage of women with oligohydramnios were older; had higher gravida, parity, and preterm pregnancies; and had previous cesarean section scars. The most common fetal complications were fetal hypoxia, death, low birth weight, and NICU admission. The most common maternal complication was cesarean section.