Meconium-stained amniotic fluid and neonatal morbidity in near-term and term deliveries with acute histologic chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) and neonatal morbidity in near-term and term deliveries with histologic acute chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis compared to those with normal placental histology.


METHODS
In a retrospective case-control design, we compared the incidence of MSAF and neonatal outcome in 45 cases of acute histologic chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis with 89 cases of normal placental histology. We reviewed the obstetric and neonatal records for perinatal complications and neonatal morbidity.


RESULTS
Mean birthweights (3372+/-473 vs 3287+/-518 g) were similar in infants born to mothers with histologic chorioamnionitis and/or funisitis compared to infants born to mothers with normal placental histology. The incidence of MSAF was significantly higher in the group with acute chorioamnionitis/funisitis (p<0.05). Similarly, the incidence of admissions to newborn intensive care unit, respiratory distress, meconium aspiration syndrome, and presumed sepsis was also significantly higher (p<0.05) in this group.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of MSAF and neonatal morbidity is higher in the presence of acute inflammation of placental membranes. The presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid should alert the physician to the potential for infection and increased neonatal morbidity.
Rao
S
S
University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Women's and Children's Hospital, 1240 North Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
Pavlova
Z
Z
Incerpi
M H
MH
Ramanathan
R
R
D000208:Acute Disease; D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D001724:Birth Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000150:complications*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008470:Meconium; D009017:Morbidity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014470:Umbilical Cord