Oral arginine versus IV fructodex and oral arginine in the treatment of borderline idiopathic oligohydramnios: A randomised comparative study

Amniotic fluid is a dynamic medium surrounding the fetus in the amniotic cavity. Decreased amniotic fluid volume of less than 8cm is known as Oligohydramnios. Increasing maternal plasma volume and improving uteroplacental perfusion using nitric oxide (NO) donors is thought to increase the AFI. The present study compares the effect oral arginine supplementation with the combined effect of oral arginine and IV Hydration in increasing AFI in patients far from term and its effect on prolongation of duration of pregnancy. The present study was a randomised-comparative, interventional hospital-based study. Pregnant women between 28 to 36 weeks gestation with AFI less than or equal to 8 cm, were recruited and divided into two groups. Group I was treated with oral arginine for 1 week. Group II was treated with oral arginine and IV fructodex and ringer’s lactate solution once a day for 1 week. Patients were followed up weekly, with USG till delivery. Post-treatment increase in AFI in Group I and II was 0.95 ± 1.11 cm and 1.87 ± 1.22 cm. The duration of prolongation of pregnancy was 4.48 weeks in Group I and 4.24 weeks in Group II. This study concludes that treatment with Oral Arginine with IV Fructodex produces a higher increase in AFI compared to oral arginine alone, however, this is transient. In both groups the pregnancy outcomes were similar. Continuous oral arginine till delivery may be more efficient and practical treatment modality in borderline oligohydramnios.