Significance of meconium during labour and its correlation with umbilical cord blood studies
Ramachandra, K.; Bhargava, V.L.; Pande, Y.; Goel, B.K.
Indian Journal of Pediatrics 51(409): 149-153
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5456 PMID: 6500642 Document Number: 232716
Continuous intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring with external cardiotocograph, and umbilical cord blood acid base analysis was done in 210 patients. One hundred cases who had meconium stained liquor formed the study group and 110 cases who had clear liquor formed the control group. There was higher incidence of low Apgar score (0-7) at 1 min in study group as compared to the control, but no significant difference was found in the Apgar score at 5 min. There was significantly higher incidence of low Apgar score (0-7) in neonates with thick meconium as compared to controls at 1 and 5 min. The frequency of abnormal fetal heart rate patterns in both the groups showed no significant variation. The duration of exposure to meconium had no influence on the fetal outcome. Appearance of meconium alone did not seem to be a definitive sign of fetal distress warranting immediate delivery, but thick meconium with ominous fetal heart rate pattern, was significantly predictive of fetal distress. Presence of meconium was found to be indication for intense fetal monitoring in labor.