Project description:A shift in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) guidelines occurred in 2015 from routine intubation and endotracheal suctioning of all meconium-stained non-vigorous infants towards less aggressive interventions based on response to initial resuscitation. This study aims to examine the impact of this change on outcomes of non-vigorous infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid at a level III academic NICU encompassing years before and after the change in guideline. This single-center retrospective study compared NICU therapies and clinical outcomes of 117 non-vigorous newborns pre-guideline implementation to 106 non-vigorous newborns post-guideline implementation. Nearly two thirds of infants in the pre-guideline cohort received endotracheal suctioning with recovery of meconium compared to less than a third of infants in the post-guideline cohort (p<0.01). Though a higher proportion of the pre-guideline cohort were admitted to the NICU for respiratory issues compared to the post-guideline cohort, the two groups did not differ significantly with regard to morbidity and therapies. Despite a marked reduction in rates of intubation and endotracheal suctioning, there is no difference in outcomes between pre-guideline implementation vs post-guideline implementation in non-vigorous meconium-stained infants, supporting the recent NRP guideline change and highlighting the benefit of expectant management.
Project description:BackgroundMeconium-stained amniotic fluid is observed in approximately 10-15% of all deliveries; however, only 5% of neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid develop meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Although foetal distress and subsequent sympathetic stimulation have been considered as the primary upstream events of MAS, this clinical complication sometimes occurs due to other pathologies, such as intraamniotic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the incidence of MAS is associated with the presence of funisitis and chorioamnionitis in term neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid.MethodsBetween April 2013 and March 2015, a total of 95 term neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid, who were hospitalized at a neonatal intensive care unit, were enrolled in the study. The placenta and umbilical cord were histopathologically examined. Clinical variables and histopathological findings associated with the incidence of MAS were studied.ResultsA total of 36 neonates developed MAS. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a heavier birth weight, male sex, 1-min Apgar score ≤ 7, funisitis (but not chorioamnionitis), and elevated acute-phase inflammatory reaction score were associated with increased incidence of MAS (all p < 0.05). The multivariate model comprised funisitis (OR = 5.03, 95% CI [1.63-15.5], 1-min Apgar score ≤ 7 (OR = 2.74, 95% CI [1.06-7.09], and male sex (OR = 3.4, 95% CI [1.24-9.34].ConclusionIn neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid, funisitis, as well as low 1-min Apgar score and male sex, was identified as an independent variable for MAS development. Intraamniotic inflammation might be involved in the pathological mechanisms of MAS.
Project description:IntroductionOur objective was to study the strength of the association between meconium-stained amniotic fluid and severe morbidity among neonates of nulliparas with prolonged pregnancies.Material and methodsThis was a secondary analysis of the NOCETER randomized trial that took place between 2009 and 2012 in which 11 French maternity units included 1373 nulliparas at 41+0 weeks of gestation onwards with a single live fetus in cephalic presentation. This analysis excluded patients with a cesarean delivery before labor and those with bloody amniotic fluid or of unreported consistency. The principal end point was a composite criterion of severe neonatal morbidity (neonatal death, 5-minute Apgar <7, convulsions in the first 24 h, meconium aspiration syndrome, mechanical ventilation ≥24 h, or neonatal intensive care unit admission for 5 days or more). The neonatal outcomes of pregnancies with thin or thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid were compared with those with normal amniotic fluid. The association between the consistency of the amniotic fluid and neonatal morbidity was tested by univariate and then multivariate analysis adjusted for gestational age at birth, duration of labor, and country of birth.ResultsThis study included 1274 patients: 803 (63%) in the group with normal amniotic fluid, 196 (15.4%) in the thin amniotic fluid group, and 275 (21.6%) in the thick amniotic fluid group. The neonates of patients with thick amniotic fluid had higher rates of neonatal morbidity than those of patients with normal amniotic fluid (7.3% vs. 2.2%; p < 0.001; adjusted relative risk [aRR] 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-6.3), but those of patients with thin amniotic fluid did not (3.1% vs. 2.2%; p = 0.50; aRR 1.0, 95% CI, 0.4-2.7).ConclusionsAmong nulliparas at 41+0 weeks onwards, only thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid is associated with a higher rate of severe neonatal morbidity.
Project description:BackgroundMeconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) occurs during childbirth when the amniotic fluid carries traces of meconium, the initial stool passed by a newborn. Often signaling fetal distress, MSAF is linked to heightened risks for both the mother and the newborn. In Ethiopia, there is insufficient attention given to this condition. Despite varied study results indicating a considerable range in MSAF occurrences, there is an absence of a comprehensive national overview. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the aggregated prevalence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid among laboring mothers and its influencing factors in Ethiopia, providing a consolidated understanding for healthcare strategies and policies.MethodFollowing PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis were executed. Extensive literature searches were conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, and African Online Journal databases. The pooled prevalence was estimated using a weighted inverse variance random effect model. Heterogeneity among studies was evaluated through Cochrane Q-test and I 2 statistics. To assess publication bias, a funnel plot and Egger's test were performed. The identification of factors associated with meconium-stained amniotic fluid among laboring mothers in Ethiopia was conducted using Stata v 18 software.ResultIn total, 63 articles were initially identified, and ultimately, four articles were deemed suitable for inclusion in this review. The combined prevalence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid among laboring mothers in Ethiopia was determined to be 20% (95% CI: 14%-25%). Upon conducting subgroup analysis, it was revealed that the prevalence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid was highest in the Oromia region and lowest in Addis Ababa. Notably, pregnancies complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertension disorder showed a significant association with the presence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, with an odds ratio of 6.21 (95% CI: 4.04-8.38).ConclusionIn conclusion, this review emphasizes the common occurrence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). Notably, it identifies a significant association between pregnancy complicated by hypertension and the presence of MSAF. This underscores the need for targeted interventions to reduce MSAF incidence and mitigate associated adverse outcomes in the Ethiopian.Systematic review registrationhttp://www.library.ucsf.edu/, (CRD42023491725).
Project description:ObjectiveTo determine the perinatal outcome of labouring mothers with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) compared with clear amniotic fluid at teaching referral hospital in urban Ethiopia.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted among labouring mothers with meconium-stained amniotic fluid from July 1 to December 30, 2019. Data was collected with pretested structured questionnaires. A Chi-square test used to check statistical associations between variables. Those variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 were selected for cross-tabulation and binary logistic regression. P-value set at 0.05, and 95% CI was used to determine the significance of the association. Relative risk was used to determine the strength and direction of the association.ResultAmong 438 participants, there where 75(52.1%) primigravida in a stained fluid group compared to112 (38.5%) of the non-stained fluid group. Labour was induced in 25 (17.4%) of the stained fluid group compared to 25(8.6%) of a non-stained fluid group and has a statistically significant association with meconium staining. The stained fluid group was twice more likely to undergo operative delivery compared with a non-stained fluid group. There were more low Apgar scores at birth (36.8% versus 13.2%), birth asphyxias (9% versus 2.4%), neonatal sepsis (1% versus 5.6%), neonatal death (1% versus 9%), and increased admissions to neonatal intensive care unit (6.2% versus 21.5%) among the meconium-stained group as compared to the non-stained group. Meconium aspiration syndrome was seen in 9(6.3%) of the stained fluid group.ConclusionMeconium-stained amniotic fluid is associated with increased frequency of operative delivery, birth asphyxia, neonatal sepsis, and neonatal intensive care unit admissions compared to clear amniotic fluid.
Project description:BackgroundIntrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the commonest gestational liver disease. The risk of adverse fetal outcome has been associated with the severity of maternal hypercholanemia after diagnosis.ObjectiveTo investigate whether there is a relationship between the severity and timing of onset of hypercholanemia and the risk of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) and adverse neonatal events.Study designThe study included 382 pregnancies complicated by ICP managed at a referral hospital in Buenos Aires (Argentina) between June 2009 and December 2013. The patients were classified into three groups according to the severity of hypercholanemia at diagnosis; mild (10-19.9 μmol/L), moderate (20-39.9 μmol/L) and severe (≥40 μmol/L). Their clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were investigated in a prospective observational study.ResultsHigher risk of MSAF was observed when ICP appeared early in gestation or when hypercholanemia was more severe. Taking both parameters into account an MSAF risk factor (MRF) was defined. Based on a model of positive/negative predictive values, a cut-off point of MRF = 3 was selected, which prioritized sensitivity versus specificity. In ICP patients with MRF>3, the probability of MSAF was enhanced 4-fold. An increase in the frequency of MSAF was also associated with higher serum levels at diagnosis of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and direct bilirubin.ConclusionsThe risk of MSAF is associated not only with the magnitude of hypercholanemia at diagnosis but also with the early gestational onset of raised maternal serum bile acids.
Project description:Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), a common cause of respiratory failure in neonates, is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The objectives of this review were to evaluate the effects of administration of (a) surfactant-either as lung lavage (SLL) or bolus surfactant (BS) and (b) antibiotics on mortality and severe morbidities in neonates with MAS. We searched the following databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, WHOLIS and CABI using sensitive search strategies. We included eight studies on use of surfactant and three studies on use of antibiotics. Neither SLL nor BS reduced the risk of mortality in neonates with MAS (relative risk (RR) 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09 to 1.57; and RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.66, respectively). Both SLL and BS reduced the duration of hospital stay (mean difference -2.0, 95% CI -3.66 to -0.34; and RR -4.68, 95% CI -7.11 to -2.24 days, respectively) and duration of mechanical ventilation (mean difference -1.31, 95% CI -1.91 to -0.72; and mean difference 5.4, 95% CI -9.76 to -1.03 days). Neonates who received BS needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) less often than the controls (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.91). Use of antibiotics for MAS did not result in significant reduction in the risk of mortality, sepsis or duration of hospital stay. Surfactant administration either as SLL or BS for MAS was found to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay; BS also reduced the need for ECMO. Administration of antibiotics did not show any significant clinical benefits in neonates with MAS and no evidence of sepsis. Given the limited number of studies and small number of neonates enrolled, there is an urgent need to generate more evidence on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of these two treatment modalities before recommending them in routine clinical practice.
Project description:This prospective study analyzes the neonatal outcome in deliveries complicated by meconium stained amniotic fluid. In a study of 1000 live born deliveries, meconium staining of amniotic fluid was seen in 50 (5%) deliveries. Out of these, 20 newborns (40%) developed classical signs of meconium aspiration syndrome and were managed according to a predetermined protocol. Multiparity, term deliveries, use of sedatives in mother, intrauterine growth retardation and prolonged labour were some of the risk factors for development of meconium aspiration syndrome in newborns. This study highlights the need for review of management protocol in newborns after meconium staining of the amniotic fluid, including the use of prophylactic antibiotics.
Project description:The early-life gut microbiota is associated with potential development of diseases in adulthood. The sterile womb paradigm has been challenged by recent reports that revealed the presence of the meconium, amniotic fluid, and placenta microbiome. This study aimed to explore the maternal origin of the microbiota of neonate meconium by using the PacBio single-molecule real-time circular consensus sequencing technology. Such technology could produce high fidelity reads of full-length 16S rRNA genes, improving the sensitivity and specificity of taxonomic profiling. It also reduced the risk of false positives. This study analyzed the full-length 16S rRNA-based microbiota of maternal samples (amniotic fluid, feces, vaginal fluid, saliva) and first-pass meconium of 39 maternal-neonate pairs. Alpha- and beta-diversity analyses revealed sample type-specific microbiota features. Most sample types were dominated by sequences representing different genera (Lactobacillus and Curvibacter in the amniotic fluid and vaginal fluid microbiota; Bacillus and Escherichia/Shigella in the meconium microbiota; Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium in the maternal fecal microbiota; Streptococcus and Prevotella in the maternal saliva microbiota). Moreover, specific operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified in all sample types. Dyad analysis revealed common OTUs between the meconium microbiota and microbiota of multiple maternal samples. The meconium microbiota shared more features with the amniotic fluid microbiota than the maternal fecal and vaginal microbiota. Our results strongly suggested that the meconium microbiota was seeded from multiple maternal body sites, and the amniotic fluid microbiota contributed most to the seeding of the meconium microbiota among the investigated maternal body sites.