title: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid: discharge vigorous newborns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) are observed clinically for 24 h postnatally. Only 5% of infants born through MSAF develop the meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), a serious condition requiring medical intervention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the value of 24-h postnatal observation of infants born through MSAF.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 394 term neonates born through MSAF was studied. Data were collected on Apgar scores, the development of MAS and other perinatal factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen of the 394 (4.8%) infants born through MSAF developed MAS. 298 (76%) infants had a 5-minute Apgar score (5'AS) of >or=9. In this group the number of infants developing MAS (1; 0.3%) was significantly lower compared with the 5'AS <or=8 group (18; 19%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MAS develops rarely in infants born through MSAF with 5'AS above 8. These infants can be safely discharged from the hospital shortly after birth.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Juliana Children's Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands. y.vanierland@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: van Ierland
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Boer
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: de Beaufort
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D001034:Apgar Score; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009426:Netherlands; D010351:Patient Discharge; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy