title: Newly developed mecometer method for objective assessment of meconium content.
abstract: We developed a new method for an objective assessment of the meconium content in amniotic fluid. By establishing a standard scale through a serial dilution of a known amount of meconium into the amniotic fluid, we developed a new method "mecometer" that can objectively measure the meconium content in meconium-stained amniotic fluid samples. The objectivity and reliability of this mecometer were verified by 300 student volunteers. At least 70% of the volunteers could objectively measure and digitally describe the meconium content in meconium-stained amniotic fluid samples. We believe our newly developed mecometer is a very simple, reliable, and portable method, not requiring any instruments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Chosun University Medical School, 375 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Kwangju 501-759, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Kee
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sung Heui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D003720:Densitometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008470:Meconium / Q000378:metabolism*