Antepartum and Intrapartum Surveillance of the Fetus and the Amniotic Fluid

Amniotic fluid index as indicator for pregnancy outcome in late third trimester

“…Morris et al conducted a prospective observational study to determine the usefulness of ultrasound assessment of amniotic fluid in predicting adverse outcome in prolonged pregnancy and concluded that AFI is superior to a measure of single deepest pocket but routine use is likely to lead to increased obstetric intervention without improvement in perinatal outcomes. 1 Chauhan et al conducted a randomized clinical trial to DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20232956 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2 Department of Community Medicine, SMIMER, Surat, Gujarat, India 3 Department of Medicine, R. G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India determine the superior technique of either of the amniotic fluid index (AFI) versus the Single deepest pocket technique in predicting pregnancy outcome among highrisk patients, and concluded that during antepartum fetal surveillance, use of single deepest pocket compared with AFI is associated with significantly lower rate of suspected oligohydramnios. 2 The goal of antepartum surveillance is to improve perinatal outcome and to decrease intrauterine fetal demise besides prevention of maternal morbidity and mortality.…”

“…2 The goal of antepartum surveillance is to improve perinatal outcome and to decrease intrauterine fetal demise besides prevention of maternal morbidity and mortality. 3,4 Fetus distress is identified at the earliest so that timely delivery will not only salvage the fetus but also prevent long term neurological impairments such as injury to fetal central nervous system. 5 Amniotic fluid assessment by ultrasound is one of the important tools in assessing the fetal health in all risk categories especially beyond the period of viability.…”