Effect of Intravenous Hydration on Oligohydramnios: A Quasi-Experimental Study from a Tertiary Care Setting

Abstract

Background: Oligohydramnios, characterized by reduced amniotic fluid volume, is a pregnancy complication associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Despite evidence supporting maternal hydration, variability in response and limited regional data create a gap in understanding the effectiveness of intravenous hydration in improving amniotic fluid index (AFI). Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intravenous hydration on AFI in pregnant women diagnosed with oligohydramnios and to analyze the influence of demographic and clinical variables such as BMI, comorbidities, and baseline AFI on treatment outcomes. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at CMH Peshawar over six months, enrolling 149 pregnant women aged 18–40 years with singleton pregnancies and gestational age >34 weeks. Participants received 1L of Ringer’s lactate daily for five days. Baseline and post-treatment AFI were measured using transabdominal ultrasound. Inclusion criteria required intact membranes; exclusions included congenital anomalies, IUFD, multiple gestation, and non-pregnancy-related medical conditions. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital’s committee and CPSP Karachi per the Declaration of Helsinki. Data were analyzed using SPSS v23.0 with appropriate tests for parametric and non-parametric variables. Results: A significant improvement in mean AFI was observed post-hydration (5.2 ± 1.5 cm to 8.1 ± 1.3 cm; p = 0.00). Overall, 80.5% showed improvement. Response was significantly associated with urban residence (p = 0.03), normal BMI (p = 0.04), diabetes (p = 0.01), hypertension (p = 0.02), and lower baseline AFI (p = 0.01), indicating both clinical and statistical relevance. Conclusion: Intravenous hydration is an effective and clinically meaningful intervention for increasing AFI in oligohydramnios, particularly among women with specific risk profiles. These findings support its application in obstetric care as a non-invasive management strategy to reduce complications and improve perinatal outcomes.