title: Consequences of meconium stained amniotic fluid: what does the evidence tell us?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is common and associated with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Other consequences of meconium passage before birth are less well understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the literature for original papers reporting on outcomes associated with MSAF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among preterm infants MSAF is more prevalent than previously believed and is associated with higher neonatal morbidity. Intrauterine exposure to meconium is associated with inflammation of tissues of the lung, chorionic plate and umbilical vessels and through various mechanisms may contribute to neonatal morbidity, independent of MAS. No compelling evidence supported an association between MSAF and increased neurological impairment, including early seizure activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Midwifery Science, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Midwifery Education Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, MDCL 2210, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4 K1, Canada. Electronic address: huttone@mcmaster.ca.
authors.forename: Eileen K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Hutton
authors.affiliation: Midwifery Education Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, MDCL 2210, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4 K1, Canada. Electronic address: jthorpe@mcmaster.ca.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thorpe
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000209:etiology; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D001034:Apgar Score; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D008470:Meconium / Q000737:chemistry*; D008471:Meconium Aspiration Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Evidence-based consequences; Meconium; Meconium stained amniotic fluid