A Prospective Study of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in Newborns in a District Hospital in Southern India

Abstract

AIM OF THE STUDY: 1. To study the incidence and risk factors of MAS in neonates, 2. To study the outcome of using appropriate respiratory support (CPAP and mechanical ventilation) in neonates with MAS and 3. To find the MAS related mortality rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a single centre, descriptive, prospective and observational cross sectional study, done over a period of one year from 1 st of May 2014 to 30 th of April 2015. Only inborn cases with history of birth through MSAF were included. Gestational age, birth weight, type of meconium, Apgar score at 1min and 5 min, duration of requirement of O2, CPAP, SIMV and number of deaths were recorded and analysed further. RESULTS: The study was performed over a period of 12 months from May 2014 to April 2015. During the study period, total number of deliveries in the district hospital was 9934. Total number of live births and still births were 9697 and 237 respectively. Total NICU admissions were 2237. Total MSAF cases were 563(5.67% of total deliveries). Total MAS cases were 220(2.21% of total deliveries and 39.08% of total MSAF cases). Percentage of MAS cases on ventilatory support was 35.45% (78/220, 0.19% of total number of deliveries). Total MAS related deaths were 19(8.64% of total MAS cases). CONCLUSION: The incidence of MAS was 2.21% of total deliveries. Post maturity, low Apgar scores and thick MSAF were the risk factors associated with severe MAS and high mortality rate. Using appropriate respiratory support in severe MAS cases had shown low mortality rate. The Mortality rate of MAS was 8.64%.