Meconium-stained amniotic fluid in labor: a randomized trial of prophylactic amniofusion.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of amnioinfusion in women with meconium-stained amniotic fluid on the rate of cesarian sections and on neonatal morbidity.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial. A total of 206 women with meconium-stained amniotic fluid were assigned to receive amnioinfusion via two-way catheter or no amnioinfusion (control group). The catheter was inserted and other treatment was the same in both groups.


RESULTS
Amnioinfusion decreased the rate of cesarian sections for fetal distress (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.79) and increased mean pH at birth (7.24+/-0.1 versus 7.21+/-0.1, P<0.05). It also decreased the frequency of variable fetal heart rate decelerations (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.92), and of meconium below the vocal cords in neonates (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.19-0.69).


CONCLUSIONS
Amnioinfusion improves the neonatal outcome and reduces the frequency of cesarian sections.
Puertas
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Avda de las Fuerzas Armadas s/n, 18014 Granada, Spain. apuertas@hvn.sas.cica.es
Paz Carrillo
M
M
Moltó
L
L
Alvarez
M
M
Sedeño
S
S
Miranda
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000517:prevention & control; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008470:Meconium; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome