Relevance of the gestational age distribution of meconium passage in utero.
The incidence of meconium staining of the amniotic fluid among the admissions to a newborn special care unit was determined. Meconium staining of the amniotic fluid was present in 251 (7.5%) of 3,374 admissions. The majority of those with meconium staining (98.4%) was of 37 weeks gestation or greater and none was less than 34 weeks gestation. The possible relevance of this gestational age distribution is discussed.
D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008470:Meconium / Q000378:metabolism*