Effect of oral and intravenous hydration on oligohydramnios

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether oval or intravenous hydration affects oli gohydramnios in cases with normal biophysical profile scores. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred twenty-four gravidas with singleton pregnancies a t or near term were identified during a 26-month period retrospectively as having oligohydramnios. A total of 50 subjects with normal biophysical prof iles (8 of 10) whose labor was not induced at once fell into two nonrandom, convenience sample groups: (1) 20 who were advised to drink fluids, and (2 ) 30 given intravenous hydration. The remaining 74 cases with oligohydramni os consisted of 60 gravidas with normal biophysical profile scores and anot her 14 with low scores (less than or equal to 6 of 10), all of whom had lab or induced promptly. RESULTS: Cases with normal fetal status showed comparably favorable amnioti c fluid index changes. In all, 62.5% and 44.0% demonstrated improved indice s after oral and intravenous hydration, respectively; mean change in amniot ic fluid index was + 0.7 and + 0.6. The amount of intravenous hydration did not correlate with the frequency of amniotic fluid index change (46.6% inc rease with intravenous volumes of less than or equal to 2,000 mL, 40.0% wit h volumes greater than or equal to 2,500 mL), or with magnitude of change ( average +1.3 and + 0.6). CONCLUSION: Oral and intravenous hydration may correct uncomplicated oligoh ydramnios, but neither appears to be particularly advantageous over the oth er.