Introduction: Amniotic fluid volume reduction can have serious consequences: prior to 24 gestational weeks hypoplasia of fetal lungs and later in pregnancy cord compression and fetal hypoxia as well as contractions of extremities. Diagnosis of oligohydramnios is made either after a subjective estimation of amniotic fluid reduction or if the biggest amniotic fluid pocket is less than 1 cm. Amnioinfusion is a procedure during which a crystalloid solution, most often saline, is instilled into the amniotic cavity substituting amniotic fluid. To estimate the efficacy and safety of amnioinsfusion using our results and literature review.
Material and methods: Up to 800 ml of sterile saline solution was instilled intraamniotically (10-15 ml/min) in cases where the amniotic fluid index was less than 10 and intraamniotic infection was excluded. After that, 1 g of Longaceph was given intraamniotically. Infusion was stopped immediately when 800 ml was instilled, if a subjective estimation showed that there was enough fluid or if contractions occurred.
Results: During a six-month period there were five amnioinfusions--four therapeutical and one diagnostic; in four cases the procedure was successful and in one preterm rupture of membranes occurred 20 hours after the procedure. The procedure was most often done in the first half of the third trimester and continuation of pregnancy in successful cases was between 4 and 5 weeks, with average fetal weight gain of about 1200 gr. No complications occurred in cases where pregnancy continued.
Conclusion: In our preliminary study amnioinfusion led to prolongation of pregnancy in majority of cases providing better maturation of fetal lungs and higher birth weight, without any complications. Further studies are necessary to reach definite conclusions about the efficacy and safety of amnioinfusion.