MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY PROFILE OF BABIES BORN THROUGH MECONIUM STAINED AMNIOTIC FLUID AND ADMITTED IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU) OF TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTH INDIA

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate incidence, morbidity, and mortality of babies born through meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). Methods: It was a prospective and observational study, conducted in NICU of Government Medical College Hospital Patiala from January 2020 to June 2021. Babies born through MSAF and had meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) were subjects of the study. Outcome measures were morbidity and mortality of babies with MAS. Results: Out of 5175 babies during study period, 412 babies were born through MSAF, giving an incidence of 7.96%. MAS was seen in 121 babies. Majority of babies with MAS were term and low birth weight. Mean (SD) weight of babies was 2346±628 g. Morbidity of MAS was in the form of shock (34.7%), persistent pulmonary hypertension (31.4%), perinatal asphyxia (30.6%), sepsis (28%) followed by acute kidney injury (27.2%), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) (21.5%), and polycythemia (16.5%). Causes of mortality were perinatal asphyxia (84.6%), HIE (50%), shock (42.3%), persistent pulmonary hypertension (38.5%), and sepsis (31%). Mean (SD) weight of babies who expired was 2025±835 g. Conclusion: Morbidities associated with MAS were shock, persistent pulmonary hypertension, perinatal asphyxia, and sepsis whereas predominant cause of mortality was perinatal asphyxia.