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. 2000;2002(2):CD000134.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000134.

Maternal hydration for increasing amniotic fluid volume in oligohydramnios and normal amniotic fluid volume

G J Hofmeyr  1 , A M Gülmezoglu
Affiliations

Maternal hydration for increasing amniotic fluid volume in oligohydramnios and normal amniotic fluid volume

G J Hofmeyr et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000.

Update in

Abstract

Background: Oligohydramnios (reduced amniotic fluid) may be responsible for malpresentation problems, umbilical cord compression, concentration of meconium in the liquor, and difficult or failed external cephalic version. Simple maternal hydration has been suggested as a way of increasing amniotic fluid volume in order to reduce some of these problems.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of maternal hydration on amniotic fluid volume and measures of pregnancy outcome.

Search strategy: The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched. Date of last search: 1 February 1999.

Selection criteria: Randomised trials comparing maternal hydration with no hydration in pregnant women with reduced or normal amniotic fluid volume.

Data collection and analysis: Eligibility and trial quality were assessed by both reviewers.

Main results: Two studies of 77 women were included. The women were asked to drink two litres of water before having a repeat ultrasound examination. Maternal hydration in women with and without oligohydramnios was associated with an increase in amniotic volume (weighted mean difference for women with oligohydramnios 2.01, 95% confidence interval 1.43 to 2.56; and weighted mean difference for women with normal amniotic fluid volume 4.5, 95% confidence interval 2.92 to 6.08). Intravenous hypotonic hydration in women with oligohydramnios was associated with an increase in amniotic fluid volume (weighted mean difference 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 3.24). Isotonic intravenous hydration had no measurable effect. No clinically important outcomes were assessed in any of the trials.

Reviewer's conclusions: Simple maternal hydration appears to increase amniotic fluid volume and may be beneficial in the management of oligohydramnios and prevention of oligohydramnios during labour or prior to external cephalic version. Controlled trials are needed to assess the clinical benefits and possible risks of maternal hydration for specific clinical purposes.

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Conflict of interest statement

None known.

Figures

1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Oral maternal hydration in oligohydramnios, Outcome 1 Increase in amniotic fluid volume.
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Oral maternal hydration in oligohydramnios, Outcome 2 Maternal urine specific gravity (x10).
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2 Oral maternal hydration in normal amniotic fluid volume, Outcome 1 Increase in amniotic fluid volume.
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2 Oral maternal hydration in normal amniotic fluid volume, Outcome 2 Maternal urine specific gravity (x10).
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3 Intravenous/isotonic hydration in oligohydramnios, Outcome 1 Increase in amniotic fluid volume.
4.1
4.1. Analysis
Comparison 4 Intravenous/hypotonic hydration in oligohydramnios, Outcome 1 Increase in amniotic fluid volume.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

References to studies included in this review

Doi 1998 {published data only}
    1. Doi S, Osada H, Itoh K, Ikeda K, Sekiya S, Takehisa T. Effect of maternal hydration on oligohydramnios: a comparison of three volume expansion methods [abstract]. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1998;178(1 Pt 2):S156. - PubMed
    1. Doi S, Osada H, Seki K, Sekiya S. Effect of maternal hydration on oligohydramnios: a comparison of three volume expansion methods. Obstetrics & Gynecology 1998;92:525‐9. - PubMed
Kilpatrick 1991 {published data only}
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Kilpatrick 1993 {published data only}
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    1. Yan‐Rosenberg, Burt S, Collado‐Khoury, Sharet L, Bombard A, Weiner Z. Effect of maternal hydration on the AFI in women with oligohydramnios [abstract]. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2005;193(6 Suppl):S101.

References to studies excluded from this review

Chelmow 1996 {published data only}
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References to other published versions of this review

Hofmery 2002
    1. Hofmeyr GJ, Gülmezoglu AM. Maternal hydration for increasing amniotic fluid volume in oligohydramnios and normal amniotic fluid volume. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 1. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000134] - DOI - PubMed

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