A long-standing incomprehensible matter of obstetrics: meconium-stained amniotic fluid, a new approach to reason.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We sought to determine whether meconium-stained amniotic fluid is based on chronic hypoxia or not? In case of chronic hypoxia, higher red blood cell (Rbc) count and/or total hemoglobin levels (Hgb) and/or higher fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and/or lower adult hemoglobin (HbA) levels were expected when compared with controls.

DESIGN:

Case-control study.

SETTING:

Obstetric unit of a tertiary ministry of health hospital.

SAMPLE:

Fifty singleton pregnancies with meconium-stained amniotic fluid and 50 singleton pregnancies with clear amniotic fluid at all stages of labor.

METHODS:

Umbilical cord blood samples were collected for determination of total blood parameters and hemoglobin electrophoresis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Red blood cell count, total hemoglobin, fetal and adult hemoglobin contents (HbF and HbA).

RESULTS:

Red blood cell count, total hemoglobin, fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and adult hemoglobin (HbA) contents were not different between meconium stained and clear amniotic fluid groups.

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest that meconium passage may not be associated with chronic fetal hypoxia as demonstrated by similar red blood cell count, total hemoglobin values and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and adult hemoglobin (HbA) contents.

• Authors: Adnan Simsek, Sevki Celen, Mine Islimye, Nuri Danisman, Umran Buyukkagnici
• Journal: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (Arch Gynecol Obstet) Vol. 278 Issue 6 Pg. 559-63 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 1432-0711 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 18343934 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Fetal Hemoglobin

Topics

• Adult
• Amniotic Fluid (chemistry)
• Case-Control Studies
• Erythrocyte Count
• Female
• Fetal Blood (chemistry)
• Fetal Hemoglobin (analysis)
• Fetal Hypoxia (blood, pathology)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Meconium (chemistry)
• Pregnancy