Abstract

EFFECTIVENESS OF L-ARGININE IN OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS ON AMNIOTIC FLUID INDEX

Vandana Bansal*, Arpit Bansal and Ashwani Kumar Bansal

Abstract

Background: Oligohydramnios is a common diagnosis in obstetrics and carries an increased risk of operative interference and perinatal mortality and morbidity. By proper management and identification of oligohydramnios can prevent perinatal risk and gate better outcome. This was suggested that administration of L-arginine (nitric oxide donor) has been improving the amniotic fluid index (AFI) in oligohydramnios. Methods: This is a prospective study conducted over a period of two years. A total of 110 women attending antenatal clinic of Jeevan Jyoti Hospital and Guru Gobind Singh Memorial Vanadana Women’s Hospital, Allahabad, U.P. India, who were diagnosed with oligohydramnios were included. Women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were prescribed L-arginine containing 3g for periods varying between 1 to 4 weeks. Change in amniotic fluid index was noted. Results: L-arginine increases the amniotic fluid index in cases of oligohydramnios by 2.03±0.39 cm. Conclusions: It was concluded that L-arginine could be a potent treatment option for treatment of oligohydramnios. However extensive long-term studies are required to evaluate its efficacy and effect on maternal and perinatal outcome also.

Keywords: Oligohydramnios, L-arginine, Amniotic fluid index.