Incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome in term meconium-stained babies managed at birth with selective tracheal intubation

R Manganaro; C Mamì; A Palmara; A Paolata; M Gemelli

doi:10.1515/JPM.2001.065

Incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome in term meconium-stained babies managed at birth with selective tracheal intubation

J Perinat Med. 2001;29(6):465-8. doi: 10.1515/JPM.2001.065.

Authors

R Manganaro¹, C Mamì, A Palmara, A Paolata, M Gemelli

Affiliation

¹ Neonatology Unit, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. Rosa.Manganaro@unime.it

PMID: 11776676
DOI: 10.1515/JPM.2001.065

Abstract

The delivery room management of infants born through meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) remains controversial. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate maternal and neonatal characteristics of MSAF infants and the incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) in routine delivery room management which reserved selective intubation for depressed/asphyxiated babies. Between October 1993 and September 1997, a consecutive sample of 3745 full-term infants was analyzed. Of these, 361 were MSAF infants. No significant difference in maternal age, parity, gestational age, sex, low 1 and 5 minute Apgar scores, metabolic acidemia, or need for endotracheal intubation was found between MSAF and non-MSAF infants. Only one of the MSAF infants (0.28%), who needed intubation, developed MAS. Identification of postterm pregnancy and prenatal asphyxia is the best prevention of MAS.

MeSH terms

Adult
Amniotic Fluid*
Apgar Score
Asphyxia Neonatorum / therapy
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Intubation, Intratracheal*
Male
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / epidemiology*
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / prevention & control
Meconium*
Prospective Studies