Objective: To assess the effect of maternal hydration on fetal pyelectasis.
Methods: Thirteen pregnant women with fetal pyelectasis and 13 controls matched for gestational age were recruited during the same period. Ultrasound and Doppler studies and maternal urine specific gravity measurements were carried out before and after maternal oral hydration. The data were analyzed by either a two- or three-factor analysis of variance.
Results: Renal artery Doppler pulsatility index was significantly greater in the study group than in the controls (2.37 versus 1.83; P=.009) and this finding was unaffected by maternal hydration status. After hydration, the maternal urinary specific gravity decreased significantly (1.018 versus 1.009; P < .001), the amniotic fluid index (AFI) increased significantly (14.27 versus 18.24 cm; P < .001), and the fetal renal pelvis diameter increased significantly (0.29 versus 0.46 cm; P=.002) in both the study and control groups. Renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter after hydration did not differ significantly whether the fetal bladder was full or empty (0.7 versus 0.6 cm; P=.1). In this study, each subject served as her own control (ie, from before to after hydration). Three of 13 controls met the diagnostic criteria for pyelectasis after maternal hydration.
Conclusion: The AFI increases after maternal hydration in both normal fetuses and those with pyelectasis. The fetal renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter increases with maternal hydration in both normal fetuses and those with pyelectasis and is independent of the state of the fetal bladder. The renal artery Doppler pulsatility index is significantly greater in fetuses with pyelectasis than in controls.