Assessment of Amniotic Fluid Volume in Second and Third Trimesters using Ultrasonography

Abstract

The study aimed to identify normal values of amniotic fluid index in second and third trimester as well as to a detect causes of polyhydrominios and oligohydromnios and correlate gestation age to normal amniotic fluid volume. The study was conducted on 50 pregnant women during their second and third trimester in the period from April to July 2017, in Bahri Teaching Hospital. Based on the international study protocol in obstetrical scanning; all pregnant women were examined by ultrasound using Mindray scanner with 3.5MHz convex probe. Trans-abdominal scanning was performed for all pregnant women and the amniotic fluid volume was measured using the four-quadrant amniotic fluid index (AFI) method. The study revealed that the majority of pregnant women have normal amniotic fluid (86.0%) and few others pregnant women have an abnormal amniotic fluid (14%). it showed that the mean of normal amniotic fluid index minimal value obtained at 13 week then increase gradually and reached its peak at 40week. The study recommended that the assessment of amniotic fluid volume by ultrasound is an essential parameter of the antenatal care. For better interpretation of amniotic fluid index normal reference values in various weeks of pregnancy is recommended. The study also recommended facilitating ultrasound machine in every hospital and medical health care centers.