Abstract :
Introduction: The first demonstrable meconium is found around the third month of the gestational age in
the intestines of the fetus as black green color, odorless mass. Multiple conditions of intrauterine fetal
distress is said to be causative reason for intrauterine passage of meconium in the amniotic fluid by
the fetus. Aspiration of meconium stained amniotic fluid may lead to a gasping breathing pattern which
induces hypoxia via airway obstruction, surfactant dysfunction, chemical pneumonitis, and pulmonary
hypertension.
Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to find the prevalence of various grades of
meconium stained amniotic fluid as well as meconium aspiration syndrome according to gestational age
and parity.
Results: The present study was a prospective observational study. It was conducted in the Obstetrics and
Gynecology department of Tertiary Hospital & Medical Collage & Research Centre, Ahmedabad, Gujarat,
India during May 2016 to May 2018 on 200 laboring mothers with meconium stained amniotic fluid who
delivered or underwent cesarean section in the institute were included in the study. MSAF grade 1 cases
were maximum 40/82(48.78%) in mothers having previous vaginal delivery. MSAF grade 2 cases were
maximum 51/63(80.95%) in primigravid mothers. MSAF grade 3 cases were maximum 24/55(43.64%)
in primigravid mothers. 3.96% of the primigravida patients were found to have MAS whereas 15.38%
of the patients with previous vaginal delivery were having MAS. Maximum cases of grade 1 MSAF
64/82(78.05%), grade 2 MSAF 40/63(63.49%) as well as grade 3 MSAF 26/55(47.27%) were in mothers
having gestational age between 37-40 weeks at the time of delivery of baby. 45.45% patients having
gestational age less than 37 weeks, 4.62% of the patients having gestational age between 37-40 weeks,
and 6.78% patients having gestational age greater than 40 weeks were having MAS.
Keyword :
Meconium stained liquor, Meconium aspiration syndrome, Gestation.