Evaluation and Management of Neonates with Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate
neonates with meconium stained amniotic fluid and to
investigate whether pulmonary disease and mortality
were significantly greater in infants with thick
meconium.
Method: We evaluated 278 meconium stained neonates
between January 1993 ñ February 1999. Amniotic fluid
was defined as thin (221 neonates) or thick (57
neonates) by a pediatrician.
Results: Compared to neonates with thin meconium,
those with thick meconium appeared to have
significantly greater rates of acidemia, low  APGAR
scores at the 1th  and 5th  minutes, more need for
resuscitation and higher mortality rate. Meconium
aspiration syndrome and hypoxic ischemic
encephalopathy were also significantly higher in
infants with thick meconium.
Conclusion: Amniotic fluid with thick meconium may
cause more respiratory and other complications in
neonates than amniotic fluid with thin meconium.
Therefore, tracheal suction is recommended for infants
born depressed and with thick meconium stained
amniotic fluid.
Key words: Meconium stained amniotic fluid, neonate

Keywords

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