Prostaglandin E2 induction of labor for isolated oligohydramnios in women with unfavorable cervix at term.

Objective: To evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated with isolated oligohydramnios at term, managed by induction of labor.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study. 138 women with uncomplicated oligohydramnios at term [amniotic fluid index (AFI) < or =5 cm] and a low Bishop score (< or =6) underwent induction of labor with prostaglandin E2. These women were compared to 67 women who underwent induction of labor at 42 weeks' gestation and 276 women at low-risk pregnancy and spontaneous onset of labor, matched for parity and race.

Results: Cesarean section (CS) rate was similar in the study and the post-date group (17.4 and 17.9%, respectively), but significantly higher than the spontaneous labor group (5.8%, OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.75-6.68). No differences were found with other outcomes.

Conclusions: Pregnancies with isolated oligohydramnios at term apparently are not at higher risk of perinatal complications, but induction of labor is associated with increased rate of CS.