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NEONATAL ASPHYXIA AND
MECONIUM PASSAGE |
There is no doubt that the presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid is associated with an increase in perinatal morbidity and mortality. Virtually all of the excess mortality is related to to an increase in immediate and subsequent neonatal disease. The stillbirth rate is only marginally increased in the presence of meconium staining of the amniotic fluid. The effects of meconium on the fetus are thus different to the effects on the neonate.
Meconium is associated with a dramatic increase in neonatal death (1).
Meconium is associated with a sharp increase in the incidence of low
1-minute Apgar scores (<7), and a definite but less dramatic increase in the
incidence of low 5-minute Apgar scores. An increase in the frequency of
assisted ventilation, post-delivery respiratory acidosis and prolonged
hospitalization does occur with postnatal meconium aspiration.
REFERENCES
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