Medline ® Abstract for Reference 15
of 'Prevention and management of meconium aspiration syndrome'
15
TI
Meconium-stained amniotic fluid: discharge vigorous newborns.
AU
van Ierland Y, de Boer M, de Beaufort AJ
SO
Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2010;95(1):F69.
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>or=9. In this group the number of infants developing MAS (1; 0.3%) was significantly lower compared with the 5'AS<or=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.
AD
Division of Neonatology, Juliana Children's Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands. y.vanierland@erasmusmc.nl
PMID