Maternal and neonatal factors associated with meconium stained amniotic fluid

The study was conducted to study the clinical profile of babies and their mothers with meconium stained amniotic fluid at birth. All babies born with meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh from July2010 to December 2010 were included in the study. Out of 172 babies with MSAF, 31 developed Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS)while 141 did not. For both the groups, the case records of the babies and their mothers were retrospectively studied and compared using univariate analysis and multiple regression analysis. The incidence of MSAF was 9.8% and of MAS was around 1.8%.The characteristics of the babies associated with increased risk of MAS were low Apgar score at 5 minutes and presence of respiratory distress soon after birth. No significant maternal risk factor was identified. Practising standard delivery guidelines, meticulous resuscitation at birth and vigilant monitoring of distressed babies immediately following birth may bring down the incidence of MAS. KEYWORDSMeconium Stained Amniotic fluid, (MSAF), Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) Accepted October 27 2012