MECONIUM ASPIRATION SYNDROME : A CLINICAL STUDY

Forty two babies with Meconium aspiration syndrome managed in neonatal intensive care unit of a service hospital were analysed. Incidence was 1.7 per cent. Twelve babies were delivered by caserean section and 30 babies by vaginal route. Seventeen deliveries were conducted by team of gynaecologists, pediatrician and nursing staff whereas 25 deliveries were conducted by nursing staff alone. Out of total babies with meconium aspiration syndrome, thin meconium detected in 9 and thick meconium detected in 33 babies during delivery. Five babies were preterm and none were less than 35 weeks of gestation. Pneumonia detected on right side in 24 patients, on left side in 6, and both sides in 12 patients. Twenty seven babies had asphyxia at birth, 13 babies had seizure and 6 babies had air leak syndrome and overall mortality was 13 (31%).