Amniotic fluid index

Amniotic fluid index (AFI) is a quantitative estimate of amniotic fluid^[1] and an indicator of fetal well-being. It is a separate measurement from the biophysical profile.^[1]

AFI is the score (expressed in

An AFI between 8 and 18 cm is considered normal.[5] Median AFI level is approximately 14 cm from week 20 to week 35,^[6] when the amniotic fluid begins to reduce in preparation for birth. An AFI smaller than 5–6 cm is considered as oligohydramnios.^[3] The exact number can vary by gestational age. The fifth percentile for gestational age is sometimes used as a cutoff value.^[7] An AFI larger than 24–25 cm is considered as polyhydramnios.^[3][8]

Causes of low amniotic fluid

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Amniotic fluid index" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

There are many things that can cause low AFI, these include:

• Leaking or rupture of membranes: Leaking or rupture of membranes may be caused by a gush of fluid or a slow constant trickle of fluid. This is due to a tear in the membrane. Premature rupture of membranes can also result in low amniotic fluid levels.
• Placental problems: Placental problems may cause low amniotic fluid. If the placenta is not providing enough blood and nutrients to the baby, then the baby may stop recycling fluid.
• Birth defects:
  urinary tract
  , which could cause little urine production, and it can lead to low levels of amniotic fluid.
• Maternal complications: Maternal complications may cause low amniotic fluid. Some factors such as
  hypoxia
  in a woman can have an effect on amniotic fluid levels.

References

This human reproduction article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e