Low Amniotic Fluid Volume is Poorly Identified in Singleton and Twin Pregnancies Using the 2 x 2 cm Pocket Technique of the Biophysical Profile

Background: Fetal biophysical profile is a well-established method of antepartum surveillance in high risk pregnancy. Classical biophysical profile with all parameters (fetal breathing movements, fetal tone, fetal gross body movements, amniotic fluid volume and non-stress test) needs two phase testing by ultrasound and external Doppler monitor to record fetal heart rate, is more cumbersome, time consuming and expensive.Methods: This study was a prospective clinical study which consisted of 70 patients having pregnancy with high risk factors. The patients were evaluated with the modified biophysical profile consisting of NST recording for 20mins, followed ultrasound assessment of amniotic fluid volume, using four quadrant technique.Results: When the Modified biophysical profile is normal, it gives reassurance that the fetal status is good with good perinatal outcome. When the MBPP is abnormal there is increased incidence of perinatal morbidity as well as mortality.Conclusions: Modified biophysical profile is an effective primary antepartum fetal surveillance test in high risk pregnancies in predicting perinatal outcome.

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Oligohydramnios at term and pregnancy outcome

Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review ◽

10.1017/s0965539501000341 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 209-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Everett F Magann ◽

Suneet P Chauhan ◽

James N Martin Jr.

Keyword(s):

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Chronic Stress ◽

Direct Measurement ◽

Caesarean Delivery ◽

Well Being ◽

Fluid Volume ◽

Dye Dilution ◽

Amniotic Fluid Volume ◽

Study Protocols ◽

Biophysical Profile

An assessment of amniotic fluid volume has become an important component of antenatal testing for the at-risk pregnancy. The presence of normal amniotic fluid volume, either in association with a reactive nonstress test or as a component of the biophysical profile is considered to reflect current fetal well being and probable absence of chronic stress. The chronically stressed fetus is likely to have low amniotic fluid volume because of the shunting of blood preferentially to the brain, heart and adrenal glands at the expense of other body systems during the period of chronic stress. Decreased renal blood flow leads to decreased urinary output. Because the primary component of amniotic fluid in the third trimester of pregnancy is fetal urine, ongoing chronic stress can be recognised as oligohydramnios.Precise amniotic fluid volume (AFV) measurement is accomplished either by use of a dye-dilution technique or by direct measurement of the fluid volume at the time of caesarean delivery. The need for laboratory support and the inherent invasiveness of dye-dilution procedures limits their application to study protocols. Direct measurement of AFV at caesarean delivery is reflective only of fluid volume at the time of delivery and cannot be used to serially evaluate fluid volume as a component of antenatal testing.

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