# Prenatal Amnioinfusion as a Diagnostic Tool in Severe Oligo- and Anhydramnios: A Retrospective Single-Center Experience with Descriptive Perinatal Outcomes

## TL;DR

This study examines how amnioinfusion helps diagnose severe low amniotic fluid cases and reports on pregnancy outcomes without making causal claims.

## Contribution

The study provides descriptive insights into the diagnostic utility and outcomes of antepartum amnioinfusion in severe amniotic fluid deficiency.

## Key findings

- Amnioinfusion improved sonographic visualization in most cases.
- Pregnancy prolongation was observed in some subgroups.
- Common causes included preterm rupture of membranes and fetal growth restriction.

## Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of antepartum amnioinfusion in cases of severe oligo- and anhydramnios and to descriptively report perinatal outcomes. Methods: This retrospective single-center study analyzed all antepartum amnioinfusions performed between 2009 and 2024 in pregnancies between 16 + 0 and 34 + 0 weeks of gestation. The primary endpoint was diagnostic impact following amnioinfusion. Secondary endpoints were descriptive perinatal outcomes. No inferential statistical analyses were performed. Results: A total of 37 amnioinfusions were performed in 31 patients. Median gestational age at first amnioinfusion was 22 ± 4.3 weeks, with a mean infusion volume of 259 ± 59.4 mL. The most frequent etiologies were preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM, 29%), fetal growth restriction (FGR, 25.8%), and urogenital malformations (22.6%). Amnioinfusion improved sonographic visualization and diagnostic assessment in the majority of cases. Pregnancy prolongation was observed in selected subgroups; however, causal inference regarding therapeutic efficacy cannot be drawn. Conclusions: Antepartum amnioinfusion represents a valuable adjunct for prenatal diagnostic evaluation in severe oligo- and anhydramnios. Observed perinatal outcomes should be interpreted descriptively. Further prospective, controlled studies are required to define the role of amnioinfusion beyond diagnostic feasibility.