A case-control study of meconium staining of amniotic fluid in labour at Port Moresby General Hospital to determine associated risk factors and perinatal outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To identify sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics which could be used as markers for thick meconium staining of the amniotic fluid (MSAF) in labour.


METHODS
The design was an unmatched case-control study. The setting was the Port Moresby General Hospital labour ward. The eligibility criteria were: patients with a singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation and baby alive at the time of admission in labour. Cases were parturients who had MSAF during labour. The cases were sequentially enrolled according to the time of delivery recorded in the labour ward register. A control was a patient who did not have MSAF and who was the first to deliver after a case. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and patients' hospital records.


RESULTS
Logistic regression analysis showed the following variables to have a positive significant association with MSAF: low social status, betelnut chewing, grand multiparity, past history of perinatal death and rupture of membranes to delivery interval. Preterm delivery was negatively associated with MSAF. Compared with the controls, the cases had a higher caesarean section rate; more of their babies were admitted to the Special Care Nursery (SCN); the mean stay of their babies in the SCN was longer; and the perinatal mortality was higher.
Klufio
C A
CA
Faculty of Medicine, University of Papua New Guinea, Boroko, Papua New Guinea.
Amoa
A B
AB
Kariwiga
G
G
Rageau
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008470:Meconium; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors