Meconium stained liquor and fetal outcome: a hospital based follow up study

Background: Meconium staining of the amniotic fluid is a common problem occurring in 10-22% of all deliveries. Meconium aspiration syndrome complicates approximately 1.5% of these deliveries with a reported mortality rate as high as 40%. Objectives of the study were to determine whether meconium stained liquor during labour is associated with fetal distress and to check if there is any correlation in between the degree of meconium staining liquor and fetal outcome.Methods: A clinical study of 200 cases of meconium stained amniotic fluid in cephalic presentation was undertaken among patients who were admitted in labour room were examined in detail and investigations were done. Fetal heart rate and its pattern were noted every fifteen min. Total APGAR score at one minute and five minute was noted down. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated. Proportions were analyzed using chi square value.Results: Majority of the study subjects belonged to the age group of 21-30 years. Majority i.e. 54.5% were multigravida. Majority had toxemia in 24% of the cases. Fetal distress and the incidence of forceps delivery or LSCS was significantly more in those with thick meconium compared to those with thin meconium (p<0.05). But fetal asphyxia was not associated with type of stained meconium. It is seen that as the duration of the meconium staining increased, the proportion of babies with low APGAR score, perinatal mortality and morbidity increased.Conclusions: Thick meconium stained amniotic fluid was associated with increased rate of interventions, neonatal morbidity and mortality compared to thin meconium stained meconium fluid