[Ultrasonic methods for determining the volume of amniotic fluid in a complicated pregnancy: improved methods for the prognosis of the perinatal outcome].

Semiquantitative measurement of amniotic fluid volume (AFV) was used to predict the pregnancy outcome. In 229 high risk pregnancies, the AFV was assessed by 4 ultrasonographic methods, including our suggested one--the modified amniotic fluid index (MAFI). Abnormal perinatal outcome was defined as operative delivery sue to fetal distress (OD/FD), meconium passage, low 5 min. Apgar score, umbilical artery pH (< 7.2) and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). About 26.2%, 32.8%, 37.6%, 30.6% and 16.6% cases of OD/FD, meconium stained fluid, low 5 min. Apgar score, low pH and IUGR were identified with oligohydramnios compared with the normal fluid group, using MAFI (p < 0.000001). The MAFI showed higher significance than the other ultrasonographic (US) methods. With the relative screening performance the sensitivity of MAFI, amniotic fluid index (AFI), maximum vertical pocket (MVP) and tho-diameter pocket (TDP) depths were 91.9%, 70.2%, 58.9% and 32.8% respectively with OD/FD. Our results suggest that the AFV assessment by MAFI may be superior to the other US techniques and it may used in the testing protocols of antepartum fetal surveillance.