Role of amniotic fluid index in the management of pregnancy beyond 40 weeks

Aim:to evaluate the role of amniotic fluid index as a reliable fetal surveillance test in the management of pregnancy beyond 40 weeks. methods: the present analytical studywas carried out in thedepartment of obstetrics and gynaecology,nishtar hospital multan from june 2007 to june 2008. a total of 100 women at 40 weeks or > 40 weeks of gestation booked or unbooked were included in the study. results: in present study,mean age of the patients was 25.35±4.59 years. majority of the patients were between 21-25 years in both afi classes. majority of women were primigravida in two afi classes. 14(50%) out of 28 patients with afi of more than 6 cm went into spontaneous labour. total of 44 women in two afi classes were successfully induced. data revealed significantly high rate of caesarean section in the cases of afi of 6 cm or less. data also revealed a significantly high rate of delivering a baby with no complication at afi of more than 6 cm. there was 1 (3.6%) neonatal death due to meconium aspiration syndrome with afi of <6cm. conclusion: serial afi is a reliable antepartum fetal surveillance test for postdate pregnancy,but other methods like cardiotocography should be added with afi estimation to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality.