ABSTRACT
Qualitative amniotic fluid volume determination is a routine part of the fetal biophysical
profile score. Quantitative amniotic fluid volume measurement, however, is not a factor
in the determination of the standard biophysical profile score. This study is a retrospective
analysis of antepartum assessment of amniotic fluid volumes and their relationship
to neonatal outcomes. The amniotic fluid index was calculated for all patients examined
and perinatal outcome was studied for all patients assessed. Patients with reduced
or increased amniotic fluid volume had a significant increase in meconium-stained
amniotic fluid, Apgar scores less than 7 at 1 and 5 minutes, major congenital anomalies,
admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, and were more likely to require delivery
by cesarean section for fetal distress. This study suggests that a quantitative ultrasound
measurement of amniotic fluid volume represents an effective discriminatory test to
be used in pregnancy evaluation.