AFI IN PREGNANT PATIENTS;

Abstract

Background: Amniotic fluid plays major role in fetal growth & development.Abnormalities of fluid volume can affect fetal development causing many structural anomalies.Maternal dehydration leads to changes in amniotic fluid index by changing net movement of fluidinto or from the fetus. Study Design: Cross sectional study was carried out to asses increaseincidence of reduced amniotic fluid index in Quetta due to dehydration. Period: Year of 2015.Method: The study was a cross sectional study for this purpose 50 pregnant patients referringto obstetric Out Patient Department of Combined Military Hospital Quetta were investigatedfor changes (improvement, or no change) in amniotic fluid index after hydration therapy. Theunder studied population was pregnant women between 20th_ 38th week of gestation referringto obstetric Out Patient Department of Combined Military Hospital Quetta with amniotic indexless than 10.The study was conducted after approval of ethical committee. Result: Patientsshowed significant improvement in AFI after hydration therapy. Conclusion: QUETTA region,a combination of dry and cold weather leads to decrease fluid intake and greater insensiblelosses that results in reduced AFI. Increased incidence of reduced AFI is highly due to maternaldehydration that can be improved with maternal hydration.