Pregnancies with meconium stained liquor

ABSTRACT

To assess the frequency of meconium stained liquor and related factors. Descriptive case series. This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit IV, Lyari General Hospital Karachi, from April 2010 to March 2011. All women with gestational age of at least 37 weeks, with cephalic presentation and presence of meconium on vaginal examination were included. Patients with multiple gestation, mal presentation, previous scar, fever and fetal malformation were excluded from the study. Personal data, history, examination, investigations and labor findings were recorded. During the study period the total numbers of deliveries conducted were 908. Out of these 7.7% women had meconium stained amniotic fluid. Grade I meconium was present in 15 [21%] cases, grade II in 19 [27%] and grade III in 36 [51%] cases. Obese multigravidas accounted for majority of cases as compared to primigravidas. Gestational age and postdate pregnancies had no significant impact on meconium stained amniotic fluid [MSAF]. Most of the women [64%] had spontaneous vaginal delivery. Meconium stained amniotic fluid was found in 7.7% cases and more than 50% were of grade III type. Most of the women were multigravida and 67% were moderately anemic