Objective: This study was undertaken to determine whether women with high-risk pregnancies and an amniotic fluid index of </=5 cm require labor induction to prevent adverse perinatal outcomes.
Study design: All women at high risk at >/=34 weeks' gestation with an amniotic fluid index of </=5 cm were admitted to the hospital for labor induction. Each woman was compared with the next patient at high risk seen with an amniotic fluid index of >5 cm and the same pregnancy complication. Case patients were also matched with control subjects for maternal race, age, parity, and gestational age.
Results: Prospectively, 79 women at high risk with an amniotic fluid index of </=5 cm were compared with 79 control subjects. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in the risks of thick meconium (P =.29), variable decelerations (moderate P =.27, severe P =.37), amnioinfusion (P =.37), cesarean delivery for fetal distress (P =.4), and umbilical artery pH <7.10 (P =.29).
Conclusion: High-risk pregnancies with an amniotic fluid index of </=5 cm appear to carry intrapartum complication rates similar to those of similar high-risk pregnancies with an amniotic fluid index of >5.