Meconium Stained Liquor and Its maternal and Foetal Outcome

Abstract

BACKGROUND Meconium stained Amniotic fluid is associated with higher rate of caesarean delivery, increased need for neonatal resuscitation and meconium aspiration syndrome. The risk factors for meconium stained amniotic fluid are both maternal and foetal. The maternal factors are hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, maternal chronic respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, post term pregnancy, preeclampsia and eclampsia. The foetal factors include oligohydramnios, intrauterine growth restriction and poor biophysical profile. We wanted to determine the maternal and foetal outcome and mode of delivery in patients with meconium stained liquor during labour. METHODS This retrospective study was conducted from January 2017 to March 2019 on patients admitted to labour ward in Sri Ramachandra Medical University. Out of 9600 deliveries over the period of 2 years, 110 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. RESULTS The results of maternal and foetal outcome and mode of delivery were analyzed statistically. Increasing grade of meconium stained liquor is associated with increased adverse outcome. Association of meconium stained liquor with abnormal cardiotocography is associated with poor outcome, increased caesarean section rate and increased neonatal complications. CONCLUSIONS Meconium stained liquor alone is not associated with an adverse neonatal outcome. 90% of babies remained asymptomatic in spite of meconium stained liquor and required only routine care. Increasing grade of meconium stained liquor is associated with adverse maternal and foetal outcome. Association of meconium stained liquor with abnormal cardiotocography is associated with poor outcome, increased cesarean section rate, increased neonatal complications.