Intrapartum suctioning of meconium: comparative efficacy of bulb syringe and De Lee catheter.
Intrapartum suctioning of the newborn's pharynx with a De Lee catheter (DL) has reduced the incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) in neonates born with meconium staining of the amniotic fluid. However, the bulb syringe (BLB) is used more often for this purpose because of greater technical convenience. In a prospective study, 60 offspring of such deliveries received intrapartum pharyngeal suctioning either by BLB (29 cases) or by DL (31 cases), according to random selection. The presence and amount of meconium in the trachea, incidence and severity of MAS, and mortality from the disease were similar between the two groups. This study suggests that the BLB is as effective as the DL for intrapartum removal of nasopharyngeal meconium in deliveries with meconium staining of the amniotic fluid. Since the BLB is easier to use, less expensive and probably safer, our results suggest that it may be the preferable method.
D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D002404:Catheterization; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009305:Nasopharynx; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013594:Syringes; D014132:Trachea