Maternal Body Mass Index and Amniotic Fluid Index in Late Gestation

Abstract

The maternal BMI is not associated with oligohydramnios in late gestation. An increasing maternal BMI significantly increases the risk of primary cesarean delivery.

Is Obesity a Risk Factor for Disorders of Amniotic Fluid?

“…Previous studies on the impact of obesity on the accuracy and reproducibility of sonographic assessments have shown mixed results 14–16 . Ultimately, Blitz et al demonstrated no significant difference in the diagnosis of oligohydramnios with increasing BMI 13 …”

“…5,7,12 A recent study by Blitz et al approached this question from a different angle and asked whether the technical challenges of scanning obese patients negatively impacted assessment of amniotic fluid. 13 In this context, abnormalities of amniotic fluid-specifically, oligohydramnios-would reflect technical limitations rather than an underlying pathophysiological process. Previous studies on the impact of obesity on the accuracy and reproducibility of sonographic assessments have shown mixed results.…”

“…[14][15][16] Ultimately, Blitz et al demonstrated no significant difference in the diagnosis of oligohydramnios with increasing BMI. 13 The potential relationship between obesity and disorders of amniotic fluid is important due to the numerous antenatal complications associated with obesity and the fact that both oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios can be associated with poor obstetric outcomes. Oligohydramnios is a risk factor for non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracings resulting in Cesarean delivery, low Apgar scores, and admission to the NICU, although these findings are not consistent across all studies.…”

“…For instance, Deshmukh et al and Nergiz Avcioglu et al did not find any significant relationship between amniotic fluid disorders and increasing BMI, whereas Bautista‐Castano et al found that obese women were at a higher risk of developing disorders of amniotic fluid in general (eg, either oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios) 5,7,12 . A recent study by Blitz et al approached this question from a different angle and asked whether the technical challenges of scanning obese patients negatively impacted assessment of amniotic fluid 13 . In this context, abnormalities of amniotic fluid—specifically, oligohydramnios—would reflect technical limitations rather than an underlying pathophysiological process.…”