A study on clinical profile of meconium aspiration syndrome in relation to gestational age and birth weight and their immediate outcome

Abstract

Background: Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is defined as respiratory distress in an infant born through meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) with characteristic radiological changes and whose symptoms cannot be otherwise explained. It forms one of the common causes of respiratory distress in newborn occurring worldwide and has mortality rate as high as up to 40% in the affected newborn. Objectives: To review the clinical profile of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) in neonates in relation to gestational age and birth weight and their immediate outcome. Also to identify feto-maternal risk factors of MAS, early identification of which could improve long term fetal outcome to ensure neurologically intact survival. Methods: It was a prospective observational study carried out in NICU, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Guwahati, Assam. The study included the clinical profile of consecutive 115 cases of meconium aspiration syndrome admitted to the above center during period of one year starting from 1st of July 2019 to June 30, 2020. Results: Out of 1129 babies born through meconium stained amniotic fluid, 731 cases with respiratory distress were admitted to NICU during this period of time and MAS noted in 115 babies (15.73%). Out of these 115 cases 86(74.78%) were male & 29(25.21%) were female. Fetal distress was predominant feto-maternal risk factors 59 babies (51.30%). Incidence of MAS was more in term babies (59.13%) and LBW babies (60.08%). Conclusion: Prediction, early diagnosis and prompt treatment of newborn with MAS will decrease the chances of long term sequelae to achieve neurologically intact survival.

Keywords

• meconium aspiration syndrome (mas)
• respiratory distress
• amniotic fluid