FREQUENCY OF OLIGOHYDROMNIOS AMONG HYPERTENSIVE WOMEN IN THIRD TRIMESTER

Abstract

Background

Oligohydramnios is a significant obstetric condition associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, particularly in high-risk pregnancies such as those complicated by hypertension. Reduced amniotic fluid volume in the third trimester may lead to fetal distress, intrauterine growth restriction, and increased operative delivery rates

Objective

To determine the frequency of oligohydramnios among hypertensive pregnant women in the third trimester and to assess its association with selected maternal factors

Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology

Department of a tertiary care hospital in Mansehra over six months. A total of 131 hypertensive pregnant women in their third trimester (≥28 weeks) were included using consecutive

sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, medical records, and ultrasound reports. Oligohydramnios was defined as AFI <5 cm. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25, with associations tested by Chi-square at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

The frequency of oligohydramnios was 14.5% (19/131). It was slightly higher in women aged 18–30 years (17.2%) compared to 31–45 years (11.9%), and more common in preeclampsia (17.5%) than gestational hypertension (11.8%). By parity, the highest frequency was in parity 0 (25%), followed by parity 2 (13.3%) and parity 3 (12.9%), while primigravida and multigravida showed equal distribution (14.5% each).

Conclusion

Oligohydramnios is common in hypertensive pregnancies, especially in preeclampsia and primiparous women. Early ultrasound detection and close monitoring are important for better maternal and fetal outcomes.