Meconium-stained amniotic fluid: discharge vigorous newborns
- Correspondence to Dr Y van Ierland, Erasmus MC/Sophia Children's Hospital, PO Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands; y.vanierland{at}erasmusmc.nl
- Accepted 5 April 2009
- Published Online First 23 April 2009
Abstract
Background: Most infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) are observed clinically for 24 h postnatally. Only 5% of infants born through MSAF develop the meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), a serious condition requiring medical intervention.
Objective: To evaluate the value of 24-h postnatal observation of infants born through MSAF.
Methods: A cohort of 394 term neonates born through MSAF was studied. Data were collected on Apgar scores, the development of MAS and other perinatal factors.
Results: Nineteen of the 394 (4.8%) infants born through MSAF developed MAS. 298 (76%) infants had a 5-minute Apgar score (5′AS) of ⩾9. In this group the number of infants developing MAS (1; 0.3%) was significantly lower compared with the 5′AS ⩽8 group (18; 19%).
Conclusion: MAS develops rarely in infants born through MSAF with 5′AS above 8. These infants can be safely discharged from the hospital shortly after birth.
Footnotes
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Competing interests None.
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Provenance and Peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
