OBJECTIVE: To prospectively analyze the amniotic fluid index of low-risk pregnant women who presented or not complications during pregnancy and perinatal period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The amniotic fluid index was prospectively studied in 45 first pregnancy women with no diseases at study entry. The amniotic fluid index was determined at four time points during pregnancy - 18-20, 24-26, 28-30 and 34-36 weeks - and the values were correlated with the appearance of pregnancy and perinatal complications, uterine artery Doppler findings, gestational age at delivery, route of delivery, and newborn weight. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid index was not significantly different among patients with normal and high risk pregnancies at any of the four time points studied. Likewise, there was no association with gestational age at delivery, route of delivery or newborn weight. The mean amniotic fluid index at 28-30 weeks was higher (p = 0.004) in patients with bilateral incisure than in patients with normal Doppler. CONCLUSION: Prospective evaluation of amniotic fluid index in low-risk pregnancies does not seem to be a good predictor of complications during pregnancy or perinatal period.
Amniotic fluid index; Complications of pregnancy; Doppler; Ultrasound
