A long-standing incomprehensible matter of obstetrics: meconium-stained amniotic fluid, a new approach to reason.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether meconium-stained amniotic fluid is based on chronic hypoxia or not? In case of chronic hypoxia, higher red blood cell (Rbc) count and/or total hemoglobin levels (Hgb) and/or higher fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and/or lower adult hemoglobin (HbA) levels were expected when compared with controls.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Obstetric unit of a tertiary ministry of health hospital.


METHODS
Fifty singleton pregnancies with meconium-stained amniotic fluid and 50 singleton pregnancies with clear amniotic fluid at all stages of labor.


METHODS
Umbilical cord blood samples were collected for determination of total blood parameters and hemoglobin electrophoresis.


METHODS
Red blood cell count, total hemoglobin, fetal and adult hemoglobin contents (HbF and HbA).


RESULTS
Red blood cell count, total hemoglobin, fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and adult hemoglobin (HbA) contents were not different between meconium stained and clear amniotic fluid groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that meconium passage may not be associated with chronic fetal hypoxia as demonstrated by similar red blood cell count, total hemoglobin values and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and adult hemoglobin (HbA) contents.
Simsek
Adnan
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr.Zekai Tahir Burak Woman Health, Education and Research, Hospital, Saime kadin mah. calikavak sok. 22/4, abidinpasa, Mamak/Ankara, Turkey. adnan0013@yahoo.com
Celen
Sevki
S
Islimye
Mine
M
Danisman
Nuri
N
Buyukkagnici
Umran
U
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy
D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin