Comparison of hematological parameters among newborns with meconium stained amniotic fluid and clear amniotic fluid

ABSTRACT

Background: Meconium stained amniotic fluid is an indirect marker of fetal hypoxia. Fetal hypoxia affects bone marrow and affects production of cell lines. Indirect marker of erythropoietin activity is nucleated red blood cells count. Aim of the study is to compare hematological parameter in newborn born with meconium stained liquor and clear amniotic fluid. Also, to determine cut off levels of nucleated RBC as marker of fetal hypoxia in meconium stained amniotic fluid(MSAF).Methods: The study was conducted over a period of 2 years from January 2012 to January 2014 in Department of Pediatrics, Sri Aurobindo medical college and hospital, Indore. One hundred newborns with meconium stained amniotic fluid (study group) and one hundred newborns with clear amniotic fluids (control group) were studied in this period. Cord blood samples were collected and hematological parameters were compared.Results: Hemoglobin % and WBC counts were seen in study group in comparison to control group, which is statistically significant (P<0.05). The reported NRBC/100 WBC between the two groups was statistically analyzed. The mean NRBC count in study group were 8.09'6.09 which was statistically higher than the corresponding values in control group 2.07'2.25 (P<0.05).Conclusions: Study concluded that the hemoglobin levels , WBC and NRBC counts in babies with meconium stained amniotic fluid is higher than those babies delivered with clear amniotic fluid and NRBC can be taken as a surrogate marker of hypoxia in a resource limited setting.