Clinical significance of oligohydramnios in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes*,**

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and clinical significance of oligohydramnios in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes. STUDY DESIGN: An amniotic fluid index (AFI) was determined before amniocentesis (<24 h) in 272 patients with preterm labor and intact membranes (<35 weeks of gestation). Amniotic fluid (AF) was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and genital mycoplasmas, and assayed for matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8). Non-parametric statistical techniques and survival analysis were used. RESULTS: 1) The overall prevalence of oligohydramnios (AFI of ≤5 cm) in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes was 2.6% (7/272); 2) patients with oligohydramnios had a higher frequency of AF infection and/or inflammation than those without oligohydramnios [85.7% (6/7) vs. 32.8% (87/265); P<0.01]; 3) patients with oligohydramnios had a higher median AF MMP-8 concentration than those without oligohydramnios [median 664.2 (range 16.6-3424.7) ng/mL vs. median 2.3 (range <0.3-6142.6) ng/mL; P<0.01]; 4) women with preterm labor and oligohydramnios had a shorter interval to delivery than those without oligohydramnios [median 18 h (range 0-74 h) vs. median 311 h (range 0-3228 h); P<0.01], and this difference remained significant after adjusting for gestational age and the presence or absence of AF infection/inflammation. CONCLUSION: Patients with preterm labor and oligohydramnios are at increased risk for impending preterm delivery and intra-amniotic inflammation and, therefore, may benefit from careful surveillance.