EFFECT OF L-ARGININE ON AMNIOTIC FLUID INDEX IN OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS IN THIRD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of L- Arginine on Amniotic fluid index (AFI) levels in Oligohydramnios in third trimester of pregnancy. Oligohydramnios is an abnormal condition occurring during pregnancy resulting from lack of or reduced amniotic fluid. Oligohydramnios are associated with increased risk of birth defects. To decrease the birth defects due to Oligohydramnios and to avoid the complications of other treatment methods, we chose the treatment with L – Arginine. L- Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid acting as a substrate for synthesis of Nitric Oxide (NO). L- Arginine is converted into Nitric Oxide and molecular O2 by Nitric Oxide Synthase enzyme. Nitric Oxide diffuses into the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells and mediates vasodilatation and platelet stabilization by a cyclic GMP-dependant process, leads to increase in AFI. We have collected 60 cases of Oligohydramnios. AFI levels increased between 2cm to 10 cm after the usage of L- Arginine. The highest incidence of Oligohydramnios were noted in first pregnancies i.e. Gravida I. By using L- Arginine 43.3% of C- Sections are reduced. So oral use of L-arginine can be used as a cheap and feasible method.

KEYWORDS: Oligohydramnios, L- Arginine, AFI, Nitric Oxide (NO), C- Section.