The effect of oral versus intravenous fluid therapy on maternal and neonatal outcomes for women with oligohydramnios

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Background Oligohydramnios may increase the perinatal morbidity and mortality rate and is associated with adverse fetal outcomes. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the effect of oral versus intravenous fluid therapy on maternal and neonatal outcomes for women with oligohydramnios. Study design This was a quasi-experimental study model. Setting Th study was conducted at a high-risk pregnancy department at a specific private hospital in El-Mansoura City, Egypt. Participants and methods A purposive sample of 45 pregnant women with oligohydramnios was included in the study, and the women were divided equally into three groups, with 15 women per each group: the first group was administered intravenous (i.v.) isotonic solution, second group was administered i.v. hypotonic solution, and the third group was administered oral water. Data were collected during the period of 6 months from the first of December 2016 to the end of August 2017. Tools Four tools were used to conduct this study: maternal characteristics questionnaire, sonographic report for measuring amniotic fluid index (AFI) in oligohydramnios women before and after hydration, fluid chart, and maternal and neonatal assessment sheet. Results The AFI was significantly increased from 0.35±0.07 to 1.7±0.5 in the i.v. isotonic group whereas the AFI was significantly increased from 0.37±0.08 to 1.9±0.9 in the i.v. hypotonic group. Moreover, the AFI was more markedly increased from 0.37±0.07 to 2.7±0.8 in the oral water group. The maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ significantly among the groups but were more markedly increased in the oral water group. Conclusion Oral hydration is as effective as intravenous hydration in significantly increasing the AFI in the third trimester oligohydramnios. The AFI was more markedly increased in the oral water. Maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ significantly among the groups. Recommendations Oral hydration is recommended for pregnant women with oligohydramnios till delivery.