Fetal Hypoxia and Meconium in Preterm Deliveries and Stillbirth

Purpose: This study was undertaken to assess the relationship between the degree of meconium staining of the extraplacental membranes at birth, meconium aspiration, and pulmonary changes in neonates and stillbirth. Methods: The lungs, extraplacental membranes and placenta from 20 stillborn with meconium-stained membranes and 13 lungs of perinatal deaths were collected and microscopically examined for meconium, intra-alveolar presence of aspiration and inflammation. Results: Microscopically, 32% and 40% of the lungs had evidence of meconium for the stained and nonstained groups, respectively. The microscopic grade of meconium aspiration and inflammatory cells was not different between nonstained and meconium-stained membranes. Aspiration of meconium induced a granulomatous response in the lungs. Conclusion: It was concluded that the grade of meconium staining is a good indicator of fetal hypoxia, but not a good predictor for meconium aspiration and MAS in newborn.