Associated Factors and Outcome of Babies Born Through Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid

Background Neonates born through meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Objective To study the incidence, associated factors and outcome of meconium stained amniotic fluid babies born in Dhulikhel hospital. Method Prospective, cross-sectional study conducted in Obstetric ward and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from 15 December 2015 to 15 December 2016. All the babies born through meconium stained amniotic fluid during the period were included. Result Incidence of meconium stained amniotic fluid was 6.5%(167/2581). Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) developed in 9(5.4%) among all meconium stained amniotic fluid cases. Primigravidity and postdatism were observed more in Meconium aspiration syndrome group than meconium stained amniotic fluid group (77.8% VS 73.4%; 33.3% VS 26.3%). Babies delivered by caesarian section were more in meconium stained amniotic fluid group than Meconium aspiration syndrome group (47.5% VS 33.3%). All the babies with meconium stained amniotic fluid improved except one baby with Meconium aspiration syndrome who expired. Neonatal sepsis was a significant co-morbidity in Meconium aspiration syndrome group (P value= 0.008). There was increased incidence of operative delivery in thick meconium stained amniotic fluid than thin meconium stained amniotic fluid (52.6% VS 38.9%). Similarly, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission and neonatal complications like Meconium aspiration syndrome, perinatal asphyxia and sepsis were more commonly observed in thick meconium stained amniotic fluid group than thin meconium stained amniotic fluid group. Conclusion The progression to meconium aspiration syndrome in babies with meconium stained amniotic fluid is not associated with any maternal and neonatal factors studied. MAS babies are 10 times more likely to require NICU admission and sepsis is a significant co-morbidity. Thick meconium stained amniotic fluid is worrisome. There is increased chance of operative delivery and neonatal complications if associated with thick meconium stained amniotic fluid.