Clinical observation of meconium aspiration syndrome : in relation to fetal heart rate monitoring

ABSTRACT

To identify the neonates at the risk of having meconium aspiration syndrome, the perinatal characteristics and finding of fetal heart rate monitorings in 366 neonates who had meconium-stained amniotic fluid were retrospectively reviewed. The results were as follows; 1) Overall incidence of MAS was 0.7%. 2) Mortality rate of MAS was 5.8%. 3) The mean Apgar scores at 1-and 5-minute were significantly different in the two groups with and without meconium aspiration sydrome (MAS)(p<0.001). 4) PROM, postterm delivery and IUGR were the major obstetric risk factors associated with MAS. 5) Although severe variable decelaeration and decreased variability on FHR monitoring were present more often in the group with MAS, it showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. 6) The presence of above findings on monitoring and thick meconium in amniotic fluid should alert clinicians to the possibility of a fetus that requires intervention.