Comparison of the Effect of Arginine and Fluid Therapy in Pregnant Women with Oligohydramnios

Oligohydramnios (amniotic fluid depletion) is a common problem in pregnancy that is associated with several complications. In addition to managing the underlying cause, treatment measures are necessary to reduce its consequences. The aim of the present clinical trial study was to compare the effect of L-arginine and fluid therapy alone on oligohydramnios.

In the present clinical trial study conducted in Fatemieh Hospital affiliated to Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in 2020, fifty pregnant women with 28 to 36 weeks gestation, with singleton pregnancy with Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) less than 8 cm evenly were selected and randomly divided into two intervention groups, L-arginine at a dose of 3 g twice daily with fluid therapy (3 liters of lactated ringer in 24 hours) and the control group given fluid therapy alone between 1 to 4 weeks based on gestational age and AFI. Changes in amniotic fluid volume before and after the intervention and pregnancy outcomes were assessed and compared in the two groups. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square.

After the intervention, the mean AFI increased to 5.44 ± 0.86 in the control group and 85.28 ± 1.51 in the interventional group (P=0.001). The mean AFI in both groups showed a significant increase compared to the previous intervention. The mean gestational age in the interventional group at the end of the study compared to the fluid therapy group indicated a significant increase (35.24 ± 0.71 vs. 36.72 ± 0.59 cm). The mean Apgar score in the first minute and 5 in the interventional group was significantly higher. Other outcomes were comparable in the two groups.

In women with oligohydramnios, the use of L-arginine in combination with injectable fluid therapy with increased volume of amniotic fluid can be associated with better outcomes.