RESUMO
Meconium is the first defecation of fetus and neonate. Intrauterine passage of meconium may represent a normal physiologic or pathologic event. The presence of meconium stained amniotic fluid [MSAF] is relatively common and occurs in 5 - 15% of births. Studies have showed that MSAF may affect maternal and neonatal outcome, however the risks associated with meconium staining remains uncertain and controversial. A retrospective analytic descriptive study was done in Alzahra and Talegani educational centers in Tabrize. We studied 8512 files of delivered women and selected 640 records which had criteria of investigation, in two groups of case and control [320 records with MSAF as case group and 320 records with clear amniotic fluid as control group]. Data were then gathered and analyzed using SPSS9 soft word, by t and chi [2] and Fisher exact tests. The prevalence of MSAF in this study was 9. 6% and the incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome was 3. 8%. Thich meconium was presented in 232 [72. 5%] infants. In addition there were statistically significant differences between maternal age [p=0.032], abnormal fetal heart rate [P=0.002], fetal sex [p=0.033], the 5 minute apgar score [P=0. 011], gestational age, mode of delivery, the first minute apgar score, respiratory distress, post partum care, resuscitation and length hospital stay in the two groups [P<0.001]. But there were no statistically significant differences in parity, induction of labour, birth weight, and neonatal seizures during the first 24 h between two groups. According to this study meconium stained amniotic fluid is a predictor for some of the adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes