title: A Population-Based Study of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in Neonates Born between 37 and 43 Weeks of Gestation.
abstract: The epidemiology of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) in term neonates is described in a population-based retrospective study of data recorded for all births from 2000 to 2007 in a French region (Burgundy). Of the 132 884 eligible term newborns, the rate of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) was 7.93%. The prevalence of severe MAS was 0.067% in the overall population. MAS rate was 0.11% at 37-38 weeks of gestation (WG), 0.20% at 39-41 WG, and 0.49% at 42-43 WG. Factors independently associated with severe MAS were identified by a case-control study, that is, thick meconium amniotic fluid, fetal tachycardia, Apgar score ≤3 at 1 minute, and birth in a level III facility. Our results confirm the high prevalence of MSAF after 37 WG but also show the low frequency of severe MAS in a period corresponding to the new international recommendations on the management of birth with MSAF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, CHU Dijon, 21000 Dijon, Burgundy, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rybakowski
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferdynus
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sagot
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Gouyon