OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS – CAUSES AND EFFECTS ON PERINATAL OUTCOME

Oligohydramnios is a clinical condition manifested by a decrease in the level of amniotic fluid below the norm corresponding to the gestational age or an AFI less than 5 cm. The causes of this disorder include maternal, fetal and placental complications, all of them can lead to poor fetal outcomes. The decrease of the normal amniotic fluid volume, corresponding to the term of gestation, indicates the presence of maternal, fetal or placental conditions. One of the most common fetal causes of oligohydramnios are anomalies of the reno-urinary system, which constitute approximately 20% of all congenital fetal anomalies and occur in 3-4 % of pregnancies. Unilateral or bilateral renal agenesis, renal dysplasia and hypoplasia obstructiv uropathy, polycystic kidney disease – can be related to development of oligohydramnios. Intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR) is another condition associated with an AFI less than 5 cm. IUGR represents a major obstetric problem, being associated with conditions such as prematurity, fetal distress, impairment of neuropsychic development or perinatal death.