Amniotic fluid index - Wikipedia Amniotic fluid index Amniotic fluid index ( AFI ) is a quantitative estimate of amniotic fluid and an indicator of fetal well - being. It is a part of the biophysical profile. AFI is the score ( expressed in cm ) given to the amount of amniotic fluid seen on ultrasonography of a pregnant uterus. To determine the AFI, doctors may use a four - quadrant technique, when the deepest, unobstructed, vertical length of each pocket of fluid is measured in each quadrant and then added up to the others, or the so - called `` Single Deepest Pocket '' technique. An AFI between 8 - 18 is considered normal. Median AFI level is approximately 14 from week 20 to week 35, when the amniotic fluid begins to reduce in preparation for birth. An AFI < 5 - 6 is considered as oligohydramnios. The exact number can vary by gestational age. The fifth percentile for gestational age is sometimes used as a cutoff value. An AFI > 20 - 24 is considered as polyhydramnios. Causes of low amniotic fluid Leaking or rupture of membranes Leaking or rupture of membranes may be caused by a gush of fluid or a slow constant trickle of fluid. This is due to a tear in the membrane. Premature rupture of membranes can also result in low amniotic fluid levels. Placental problems Placental problems may cause low amniotic fluid. If the placenta is not providing enough blood and nutrients to the baby, then the baby may stop recycling fluid. Birth defects Birth defects may occur if the fetus has problems with the development of the kidneys or urinary tract, which could cause little urine production, and it can lead to low levels of amniotic fluid. Maternal complications Maternal complications may cause low amniotic fluid. Some factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dehydration, preeclampsia, and chronic hypoxia in a woman can have an effect on amniotic fluid levels. References ^ Jump up to : Tom C Winter ; Sanders, Roger C. ( 2006 ). Clinical Sonography : A Practical Guide. Hagerstown, MD : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 502. ISBN 0 - 7817 - 4869 - 0. Jump up ^ http://www.perinatology.com/Reference/glossary/A/Amniotic%20Fluid%20Index.htm ^ Jump up to : Carr, Phyllis L. ; Ricciotti, Hope ; Freund, Karen M. ; Scott Kahan ( 2003 ). In a Page Ob / Gyn & Women 's Health ( In a Page ). Cambridge, MA : Blackwell Publishers. p. 105. ISBN 1 - 4051 - 0380 - 9. Jump up ^ http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/lowamnioticfluidoligohydramnios.htm Jump up ^ http://www.gynob.com/biopamfl.htm Jump up ^ http://www.fetalanomalies.org/Fluid.html Jump up ^ Griffin M, Attilakos G, Greenwood R, Denbow M ( 2009 ). `` Amniotic fluid index in low - risk, post-dates pregnancies ''. Fetal Diagn. Ther. 26 ( 4 ) : 212 -- 5. doi : 10.1159 / 000265554. PMID 20029220. Jump up ^ Sylvia Dobo ; Mitchell King ; Lipsky, Martin S. ; Jeff Susman ( 2003 ). Family Medicine Certification Review. Cambridge, MA : Blackwell Publishers. p. 133. ISBN 1 - 4051 - 0329 - 9. Obstetrical surgery and other procedures ( ICD - 9 - CM V3 72 -- 75, ICD - 10 - PCS 1 ) Diagnostic Pregnancy test Leopold 's maneuvers Cardiotocography Fetoscopy Fetal scalp blood testing Fetal scalp stimulation test Sampling Fetal tissue Chorionic villus sampling Amniocentesis Blood Triple test Quad test Percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling Apt test Kleihauer -- Betke test Lung maturity Lecithin -- sphingomyelin ratio Lamellar body count Fetal fibronectin test Obstetric ultrasonography : Nuchal scan Anomaly scan Prenatal testing : Fetal movement counting Contraction stress test Nonstress test Vibroacoustic stimulation Biophysical profile Amniotic fluid index Intervention Fetal surgery Fetendo Podalic version External cephalic version Amnioinfusion Delivery Vaginal delivery Induction Artificial rupture of membranes Episiotomy Symphysiotomy Forceps in childbirth Ventouse in childbirth Odon device Dystocia management McRoberts maneuver Woods ' screw maneuver Zavanelli maneuver Third stage of labor Manual placenta removal Caesarean section Elective On maternal request EXIT procedure Resuscitative hysterotomy Postpartum hemorrhage Hysterectomy B - Lynch suture Sengstaken -- Blakemore tube This human reproduction article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amniotic_fluid_index&oldid=831972392 '' Categories : Tests during pregnancy Human reproduction stubs Talk About Wikipedia Deutsch Español Italiano Polski Edit links This page was last edited on 23 March 2018, at 02 : 15. About Wikipedia

Question: what is the normal range of afi in pregnancy
Answer: between 8-18