Therefore identification of maternal factors may help to anticipate the need for neonatal resuscitation in delivery room which eventually helps to improve the perinatal outcome and reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity associated with MSAF. 5 MSAF is associated with higher rate of caesarean delivery, instrumental delivery, NICU admission rate, fetal distress, low birth weight and neonatal death. MSAF predisposes perinatal mortality even in women with very low risk for obstetric complications. 7 Meconium stained neonates are more prone to develop respiratory distress than neonates born with clear fluid. 6 Placental insufficiency, maternal hypertension, pre-eclampsia, oligohydramnios or maternal drug abuse (tobacco, cocaine) are predisposing factors of in utero passage of meconium. Vagal stimulation from umbilical cord compression causing fetal hypoxic stress, resulting in increased peristalsis and relaxation of anal sphincter leading to intrauterine passage of meconium. 4 Passage of meconium is not common before 34 weeks of gestation, beyond that period the incidence gradually increases. 3 One such attribute is MSAF, 27.3% of neonatal deaths had a history of or evidence of meconium passage during delivery. 2 Unfortunately Pakistan is number three among those ten countries who contribute two-thirds of the world’s neonatal deaths with an estimated neonatal mortality rate of live births. MAS contributes to neonatal death in up to 0.05% (i.e.

Incidence of meconium stained amniotic fluid ranges from 7-22% 1 while meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) occurs in approximately 5% of all cases of MSAF. Other babies are healthy at birth may not need treatment, even if the amniotic fluid has meconium in it.Meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is an alarming sign of fetal compromise and associated with a poor perinatal outcome. Some babies who have been in amniotic fluid that has meconium in it may need treatment right away after birth to prevent breathing problems. This can cause serious breathing problems, called meconium aspiration syndrome, especially if the fluid is thick. If the baby passes meconium in the womb, it can get into the lungs through the amniotic fluid. (Usually, the baby has the first bowel movement after birth.) Fluid that looks green or brown usually means that the baby has passed the first bowel movement (meconium) while in the womb. Normal amniotic fluid is clear or tinted yellow. Even with these conditions, though, most babies are born healthy.ĭoes the color of amniotic fluid mean anything? Either one can cause problems for a pregnant woman and her baby. Too little fluid is called oligohydramnios. Sometimes you can have too little or too much amniotic fluid.

After that, the amount of amniotic fluid usually begins to decrease. The amount of amniotic fluid increases until about 36 weeks of pregnancy. Amniotic fluid also contains nutrients, hormones (chemicals made by the body) and antibodies (cells in the body that fight off infection). After about 20 weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s urine makes up most of the fluid. In the early weeks of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid is mostly water that comes from your body. Keeps the umbilical cord (the cord that carries food and oxygen from the placenta to your baby) from being squeezed.Helps your baby’s muscles and bones develop because your baby can move around in the fluid.Helps your baby’s digestive system develop because your baby swallows the fluid.Helps your baby’s lungs grow and develop because your baby breathes in the fluid.

Keeps a steady temperature around your baby.

This sac forms about 12 days after getting pregnant. How does amniotic fluid keep your baby healthy?ĭuring pregnancy, your baby grows inside the amniotic sac (bag) inside your uterus (womb). It’s very important for your baby’s development. Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds your baby during pregnancy.

Meconium in amniotic fluid