Meconium-stained amniotic fluid viscosity and chest x .. ray findings

Abstract

Background Approximately 8􀁇15% of all infants are born with evidence of meconium􀁇stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). Many of these infants rapidly initiate a good respiratory response and are othenvise vigorous. Other infants present v.ith a variety of respiratory distress. Chest x􀁇ray imaging is the main test done to evaluate respiratory distress in order to differentiate pulmonary and extrapulmonary etiologies. Objective To determine the relationship between viscosity of MSAF and chest x􀁇ray imaging results. Methods This cross􀁇sectional study was held from January to June 2011, as a continuation of a previous study from August 2009 to May 2010 at Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia. Data was taken from medical records of babies who were born v.ith MSAF. MSAF viscosity measurements by the investigator and laboratory technician were assessed by Kappa test in the previous study with a result of 0.7 4. X􀁇ray findings were determined by the radiologist on duty at that time. Chi square and logistic regressiontests were used for statistical analysis. Results There were 48 subjects consisting of 26 males and 22 females. Chest x􀁇ray imaging results showed normal findings in 33.3% of subjects, pneumonia in 58.3% of subjects and meconium aspiration syndrome in 8.3% of subjects. Thick viscosity MSAF was significantly correlated to abnormal x􀁇rayimaging (RR= 2.046; P􀁈O.004; 95%CI 1.12 t03.72). Conclusion Thick MSAF viscosity significantly increased the risk of abnormal chest x􀁇ray findings. [Paediatr Indones. 2012;52:336-40].

Keywords

• meconium viscosity
• MSAF
• chest x-ray