ABSTRACT
We calculated the amniotic fluid indexes (AFIs) of 310 women on 459 occasions. Normative
data were analyzed and compared with data in several high-risk groups. In the normal
gestations there was a progressive increase in AFI with advancing gestation until
32 weeks, after which there was a decline. The mean AFIs in abnormal gestations varied
with the clinical diagnoses. These values were compared to those obtained by assessing
amniotic fluid volume (AFV), that is a pocket more than 2 cm. There were 51 patients
with abnormal AFVs. Forty-two had decreased fluid, six also had decreased AFIs; nine
had increased AFVs and five (all with diabetes) also had increased AFIs. Thus, AFIs
in normal pregnancies showed an orderly pattern of change with gestational age, and
there was no accurate correlation between AFI and AFV. Thus, using AFV alone may lead
to false interpretations of amniotic fluid status.
