The significance of passage of meconium in liquor amnii in labor

Abstract EN

Objective : Our objective was to study the fetal and maternal factors contributing to the passage of meconium in liquor amnii in labor and its association with neonatal outcome.

Also to study the predictive value of the color of the liquor, fetal heart rate pattern abnormality, and apgar score in identifying neonatal acidosis.

Method : A case-control study with group matching was undertaken over a period of nine months in the labor room of the Maternity Hospital Kuwait (MHK).

Ninety-six mothers who were in spontaneous labor and had no maternal or fetal risk factors were included in the study, 48 with clear and another 48 with meconium liquor; all with singleton pregnancy, gestation age more than 34 weeks, vertex presentation, intact membrane.

Results : The meconium group had significantly lower birth weights and apgar score, significantly higher fetal heart rate pattern abnormalities, cord blood pH < 7.2, mean level of cord base excess, maternal venous oxygen pressure (POJ and operative delivery.

Conclusions : Color of liquor is an important risk factor for feta! heart rate pattern abnormality as well as neonatal acidosis.

Meconium stained amniotic fluid in combination with abnormal fetal heart pattern significantly increases the risk of neonatal acidosis and low apgar score.