Maternal Hydration with Intravenous Versus Oral Therapy in the Correction of Isolated Oligohydramnios in the third Trimester of Pregnancy

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of oral hydration versus intravenous hydration therapy in correcting amniotic fluid volume in women presenting with isolated oligohydramnios in the third trimester. Methodology: A randomized controlled study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, over six months from March 2021 to September 2021. One hundred and twenty-six patients were enrolled, with 63 in each group. Patients with AFI < 5 cm in the third trimester, singleton pregnancies, and no associated maternal or fetal risk factors were included. Demographic data, AFI at baseline, and hydration details were collected. Patients were divided into two groups: one received oral rehydration solution (ORS) every 30 minutes, and the other received intravenous (IV) lactated Ringers solution over one week. APGAR scores at 1 & 5 minutes were compared between the two study groups  using independent samples t-test. P value ≤0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Both groups were comparable in terms of demographic parameters and pre-intervention water intake. AFI increased significantly in both groups compared to baseline at various intervals and persisted even one week after the completion of the study. Urine specific gravity decreased significantly after one week in both groups. Birthweight and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Both oral and intravenous hydration significantly increased amniotic fluid volume and were equally effective in correcting isolated oligohydramnios in the third trimester. Oral hydration is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and convenient alternative to intravenous hydration, offering potential benefits for pregnant women without the need for hospital admission or IV lines.