Proctor of meconium stained amniotic fluid complications on perinatal outcome

Objective: To investigate the correlation of the presence of meconium in amniotic fluid with perinatal outcome.
Methods: Out of 1983 deliveries, 99 women were found to have meconium on spontaneous or artificial rupture membrane. For all the patients the following items have been checked: 5 minutes APGAR score and neonatal complications like the need for admission in NICU, need to CPR procedure and neonatal death and root of the delivery.
Results: The result of the present study has shown a significant correlation between APGAR score and meconium density on amniotic fluid. One neonates of thin meconium, and 6 neonates of thick meconium had APGAR scores below 6. Need of CPR significantly increased in MSAF group (16.1%) in comparison to the group with a clear amniotic fluid (109%). However, neonatal death did not differ between the two groups. Cesarean delivery showed significant difference as follows: 25% MSAF in compared to 13.7% in a clear amniotic fluid group. Admission in NICU increased in MSAF group (1051%) while in clear amniotic fluid group it was 0.42%.
Conclusion: The significance of meconium in amniotic is a widely debated subject. Traditionally meconium has been considered as a sign of fetal distress which occurs due to hypoxia. However, it is now believed to happen to normally maturing gastro intestinal tract. Although in a global sense it is still considered as a marker for adverse perinatal outcomes. The presence of thick meconium is associated with increased in perinatal morbidity and hence its presence should not be over looked