[Amnio-infusion during labor: experience and review of the literature].

Objectives: Evaluation of amnioinfusion results during labour in case of thick meconial amniotic fluid or in case of oligo-hydramnios associated with variable deceleration of the fetal heart response.

Patients and methods: Prospective non randomized study. Amnioinfusion was applied to 47 cases of thick meconial amniotic fluid and to 18 cases of variable fetal heart decelerations associated with oligo-hydramnios. Obstetrical and neonatal data were compared with a similar group without amnioinfusion (n = 32).

Results: Comparing both groups shows that amnioinfusion offers a better fetal well-being during labour, according to Kreb's fetal heart evaluation during labour (8.53 +/- 1.06 vs 6.56 +/- 0.35--p < 0.01), lows the cesarean section rate (8.5% vs 31.2%--p < 0.01). Amnioinfusion is also associated with a higher Apgar's score at one minute after delivery (9.4 +/- 0.8 vs 8.7 +/- 1.7--p = 0.01) and a lower rate of thick meconium inhalation (13.7% vs 40.7%--p < 0.01). There was no difference for children's first days of life. We found no serious complication following amnioinfusion.

Conclusion: We confirm general agreement about amnioinfusion, according to international literature. Amnioinfusion needs an acute care to prevent classically described complications. In case of thick meconial amniotic fluid or variable decelerations associated with oligo-hydramnios, amnioinfusion during labour offers a better fetal well-being.