Frequency and Outcome of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in Babies Born with Meconium-Stained Liquor at Secondary Care Hospital in Pakistan: A Case Series Study ()
1. Introduction
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is defined as respiratory distress in newborn born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid whose symptoms cannot be otherwise explained [1]. Meconium is the dark green, sterile fecal material that is produced in the intestine before birth. Normally, meconium is expelled only after birth when newborns started to feed. However, in response to stress, such as an inadequate level of oxygen in the blood, the fetus may pass meconium into the amniotic fluid [2]. Either in utero or with the first breath, thick, particulate meconium is aspirated into the lungs. The resulting small airway obstruction may produce respiratory distress within first hours, with tachypnea, retractions, grunting, and cyanosis [3].
MAS in the newborn is characterized by hypoxia, hypercapnia, and acidosis. Although the pathophysiology of this syndrome is not completely understood, recent advances in management and respiratory care have decreased the mortality rate substantially. Perinatal hypoxia, airway obstruction shortly after birth, and significant pulmonary vasoconstriction and hypertension are the three major causes of mortality and morbidity [4].
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in term infants [5]. Meconium-stained amniotic fluid is found in 10% - 15% of births and usually occurs in term and post-term infants [3]. International data found the incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) to be 4.3%. Pneumothorax remains an important complication of MAS, occurring in 9.6% of MAS and the median number of days stayed in the hospital was 13 days in an international study [6]. Death directly related to meconium aspiration syndrome was reported to be 2.5% [6].
According to a local study, in the urban Pakistani population, the frequency of meconium aspiration syndrome in meconium stained liquor was observed to be 17.4% [7], which is significantly higher than the developed countries. The neonatal mortality from MAS is also very high, reported in Pakistan study as 14% [7]. One study recorded it as high as 32% [8].
As risk factors of meconium aspiration vary in different settings, so this study will help us in finding out the frequency of MAS in our local population of Hyderabad which is the fifth largest city of Pakistan as per population and the data in secondary care facilities is lacking. Furthermore, this study will also enable us to find out the outcome of meconium aspiration syndrome, in terms of hospital stay, complications, and mortality. Results of the outcome will enable us to anticipate the need for referral of meconium aspiration syndrome patients to tertiary care hospital.
2. Methods
2.1. Study Design
Case Series
Setting:
The study was done in Aga Khan Maternal and Child Care Centre, Hyderabad. It is a secondary care unit of Aga Khan University Hospital.
2.2. Duration of Study
The duration of the study was 6 months starting from 22nd April 2018 to 22nd Oct. 2018.
2.3. Sample Size
The sample size was 87 and was calculated using the WHO calculator taking the margin of error as 8%, confidence interval as 95%, and taking frequency of meconium aspiration syndrome as 17.4% [7].
2.4. Sampling Technique
Non-probability consecutive sampling.
2.5. Sample Selection
2.5.1. Inclusion Criteria
All term and post-term neonates (i.e. gestational age equal to or greater than 37 weeks) born with meconium-stained liquor.
2.5.2. Exclusion Criteria
· Preterm having less than 37 weeks gestation; as per estimation from last normal menstrual period.
· Multi-fetal gestations as per ultrasound finding.
· Fetuses with major anomalies (e.g. neural tube defects & cardiac anomalies) detected on ultrasound were excluded from our study.
2.6. Data Collection Procedure
Data collection was started after approval of synopsis from The College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan. The Ethical Review Committee of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi approved this study. All neonates born to mother with meconium-stained liquor at the secondary center of Aga Khan University Hospital in Hyderabad were enrolled in the study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria; and after taking informed consent. All the data was recorded on a structured proforma filled through history, examination, Chest X-ray for diagnosis of meconium aspiration syndrome, and its complications i.e. pneumothorax. For confidentiality, all study participants were allotted a unique ID (other than hospital registration number) for study enrolment. Principle investigator himself designed the proforma (See Annex A) and collected the data.
2.7. Data Analysis
All the collected data were entered and analyzed in SPSS software version 22.0. Frequency and percentages were computed for categorical variables like gender, mode of delivery, booking status, meconium-stained liquor grading, complications, and mortality. The mean standard deviation was calculated for gestational age, the weight of the child, Apgar score, and hospital stay. Data was stratified for confounding and effect modifiers’ gender, gestational age, the weight of the child, mode of delivery, booking status, need for resuscitation at birth, and Apgar score on the outcome. The post-stratification chi-square test was applied by taking a p-value < 0.05 as significant.
3. Results
A total of 87 babies born with meconium-stained liquor at secondary care hospital were selected for this study. The mean gestational age of babies was 38.896 ± 1.210 weeks. The distribution of gestational age of babies is presented in Figure 1. The descriptive statistics of the babies are presented in Table 1. A total of
![]()
Figure 1. Gestational age of babies distribution.
![]()
Table 1. Descriptive statistics of gestational age, weight, AGAR score at 5 minutes, respiratory rate.
45 babies (52%) were males and 42 babies (48%) were females (as shown in Table 1). The mean birth weight was 2.93 kg. The mode of delivery was normal vaginal delivery in 29.9%, elective caesarian section in 16.1%, and emergency caesarian section in 54% of cases. Meconium Stained liquor Grading was thin in 74.7% of newborns and was thick in 22.25% newborns. The mean Apgar score at 5 minutes was 8.896 ± 0.404. The Apgar score at 5 minutes was 4 - 6 in (1.1%) and >6 in 98.8% of cases.
Resuscitation at birth was done for 21 (24%) babies. the intervention was done with only oxygen in 20 (22.9%) and bagging in 1 (1.1%) newborns. The mean respiratory rate was 46.586 ± 7.575 breaths/min. In this study, the MAS was present in 13 patients (14.9%). The characteristics of the MAS cases are presented in Table 2. The complications were sub-acute bacterial infection in one patient only. The mean number of days in the hospital were 2.86 days. The distribution of the number of days in the hospital is presented in Figure 2.
A total of 67 (77%) children were booked i.e. visit clinics through a prior appointment and 65 (75%) children had meconium-stained liquor grading classified as thin. Apgar score was more than 6 in 86(99%) of children (Table 2).
![]()
Table 2. Meconium aspiration syndrome according to booking status, meconium-stained liquor grading, Apgar score at 5 minutes (n = 87).
Chi Square test was applied. P-value ≤ 0.05 considered as significant. ***NOT Significant at 0.05 levels.
![]()
Figure 2. Histogram showing the number of hospital days distribution.
4. Discussion
Meconium aspiration syndrome continues to be a challenge for the neonatologists despite the fact that MAS has decreased in incidence, particularly in developed countries. The mortality attributed to MAS has decreased from 28 per 100,000 live births to 0.96 per 100,000 live births [6] [9]. It equates to 2.5% of the MAS cohort. This decline in developed countries has come about through an improvement in antenatal care i.e. avoidance of post-maturity [10] and aggressive management of fetal distress coupled with the use of advanced modalities such as surfactant [11], high-frequency ventilation [6] [9], inhaled nitric oxide [12], and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [13] [14].
The presence of meconium liquor is a serious sign of fetal compromise, which is associated with an increase in perinatal morbidity [15], clear amniotic fluid, on the other hand, is considered reassuring. In earlier days, early amniotomy with active management of labor was done to detect meconium passed during labor. Amniotomy in labor is also commonly performed to detect meconium where fetal heart rate is unsatisfactory [16]. If meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is found, then continuous fetal heart rate monitoring is required for fetal wellbeing. The exact etiology of MSAF remains unclear [17] [18]. Aspiration of meconium during intrauterine life may result in or contribute to meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), representing a leading cause of perinatal death [19]. Prolonged labor is also a risk factor for the passage of meconium as proved by Saunder et al. [20] who showed that prolonged labor is associated with the worst outcome in the MSAF group.
As meconium should always be considered a marker for fetal distress therefore there was a significant effect on the APGAR score of neonates [7].
In our study, the mean APGAR score of neonates was 8.896 ± 0.404 as compared to Rasheed et al. [7] study which showed the mean APGAR score of 6.7 ± 2.3 in neonates, this is also comparable with the study of Shaikh et al. [21], where they reported APGAR score as 6.0 ± 0.9.
In Rasheed et al. study [7], 57 (38.3%) of neonates were admitted to NICU. However, Scott et al. [22], reported a higher incidence as compared to Rasheed et al study of neonatal admissions to NICU [7].
In this study, the MAS was present in 13 patients (14.9%), as compared to Rasheed et al. [7] study which showed Meconium aspiration syndrome in 26 neonates (17.4%). Sood et al. [23] also showed a higher incidence of MAS as in 13% in our study. Patil et al. [24] had reported 12.8% of MAS. It might be due to the fact that MAS was primarily associated with acute hypoxia events late in labor or often a chronic prenatal disease related to acute events that occur late in labor or after birth and also depends on increasing consistency of meconium.
In our study, there was no mortality seen in babies with MAS in contrast to Gupta et al. [25] that found 4.9% mortality in meconium-stained amniotic fluid group compared to 2.8% in control. Khatun [26] found 2.9% mortality in neonates. Rasheed et al. [7] study showed 14.1% mortality which is very high as compared to other studies.
In our study, the no pneumothorax was seen as compared to Anwar et al. [8] study, the prevalence of pneumothorax has been documented as 25% in 2001 and 9.6% in 2009 [8]; In the same study, pneumothorax contributed to 43% of MAS related mortality while pneumothorax resulted in death in 54.5% of these cases [8]. It is not surprising considering the fact that 84% of the babies were manually bagged for variable periods of time and only half of these (41%) could be started on mechanical ventilation.
In our study, the complications of sub-acute bacterial infection were seen in one patient (1.1%) as compared to Anwar et al. [8] study. The infection was another important complication especially associated with a longer stay in the unit. Sepsis was strongly suspected or proven in 48% of the expired babies who had stayed beyond 3 days in the hospital despite the fact that antibiotics had started in all admitted babies. High contribution to mortality by sepsis is well documented in developing countries owing to multiple contributing factors such as cross-infection, overcrowding, and staff related negligence [6] [27].
In our study, the mean number of days in the hospital were 2.862 ± 1.122 days as compared to Anwar et al. [8] study where the mean duration of stay in the hospital reported in the literature has been quite varied and has changed over time, although it has been reported to be getting longer (mean of 13 days). The majority (around 70%) of the babies stayed for a week in the hospital and the stay of less than a day was associated with the highest mortality. The likely reason being that in a developed country setup, babies could have survived but due to limitations in the local settings could not make it.
The limitation of this study is that it was a hospital-based study, so we cannot extrapolate these findings to the general population. More studies, both hospital, and population-based are needed to determine the impact of meconium aspiration on neonatal morbidity and mortality.
5. Conclusion
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome was present in 14.9% babies, the complication of subacute bacterial infection was low seen in just 1.15% case and no neonatal mortality was reported.
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate
Aga Khan University Hospital ethical review committee approved the study in 2018 with ERC number 5249-Ped-ERC-18.
Funding
The study was self-funded by Dr. Abdul Moeed.
Authors’ Contributions
AM, SA, and HL contributed to drafting the article. AM and SU collected the data from the hospital. AM and HL managed and analyzed data. KH and KA designed and supervised the study. All authors approved the final version of the article for submission.
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge mothers of enrolled children for providing us time and data for this study. We would also like to thank all our nursing staff in conducting this study under stressful conditions.
Competing Interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
References
- 1. Garcia-Prats, J.A. (2019) Clinical Features and Diagnosis of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-features-and-diagnosis-of-meconium-aspiration-syndrome
- 2. Balest, A.L. (2018) Meconium Aspiration Syndrome—Children’s Health Issues— MSD Manual Consumer Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/children-s-health-issues/lung-and-breathing-problems-in-newborns/meconium-aspiration-syndrome
- 3. Nelson, W.E. (2019) Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st Edition, Elsevier, Amsterdam.
- 4. Yeh, T.F. (2010) Core Concepts: Meconium Aspiration Syndrome: Pathogenesis and Current Management. NeoReviews, 11, e503-e512. https://doi.org/10.1542/neo.11-9-e503
- 5. Lee, J., Romero, R., Lee, K.A., Kim, E.N., Korzeniewski, S.J., Chaemsaithong, P., et al. (2016) Meconium Aspiration Syndrome: A Role for Fetal Systemic Inflammation. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 214, 366.e1-366.e9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2015.10.009
- 6. Dargaville, P.A., Copnell, B., Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (2006) The Epidemiology of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome: Incidence, Risk Factors, Therapies, and Outcome. Pediatrics, 117, 1712-1721. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-2215
- 7. Rasheed, N., Arshad, M. and Siddique, S. (2010) Neonatal Outcome of Meconium Stained Liquor. Journal of Sheikh Zayed Medical College, 6, 836-838.
- 8. Anwar, Z., Butt, T.K. and Kazi, M.Y. (2011) Mortality in Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in Hospitalized Babies. Journal of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 21, 695-699.
- 9. Hafis Ibrahim, C.P. (2005) Management of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. Current Paediatrics, 15, 92-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cupe.2004.12.013
- 10. Gulmezoglu, A.M., Crowther, C.A., Middleton, P. and Heatley, E. (2012) Induction of Labour for Improving Birth Outcomes for Women at or beyond Term. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, No. 6, CD004945. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004945.pub3
- 11. El Shahed, A.I., Dargaville, P., Ohlsson, A. and Soll, R.F. (2007) Surfactant for Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in Full Term/Near Term Infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, No. 3, CD002054. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002054.pub2
- 12. Finer, N.N. and Barrington, K.J. (2006) Nitric Oxide for Respiratory Failure in Infants Born at or near Term. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, No. 4, CD000399. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000399.pub2
- 13. Ford, J.W. (2006) Neonatal ECMO: Current Controversies and Trends. Neonatal Network, 25, 229-238. https://doi.org/10.1891/0730-0832.25.4.229
- 14. Radhakrishnan, R.S., Lally, P.A., Lally, K.P. and Cox, C.S. (2007) ECMO for Meconium Aspiration Syndrome: Support for Relaxed Entry Criteria. ASAIO Journal, 53, 489-491. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAT.0b013e318063c602
- 15. Berkus, M.D., Langer, O., Samueloff, A., Xenakis, E.M., Field, N.T. and Ridgway, L.E. (1994) Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid: Increased Risk for Adverse Neonatal Outcome. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 84, 115-120.
- 16. Goffinet, F., Fraser, W., Marcoux, S., Breart, G., Moutquin, J.M. and Daris, M. (1997) Early Amniotomy Increases the Frequency of Fetal Heart Rate Abnormalities. Amniotomy Study Group. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 104, 548-553. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1997.tb11530.x
- 17. Fliman, P.J., deRegnier, R.A., Kinsella, J.P., Reynolds, M., Rankin, L.L. and Steinhorn, R.H. (2006) Neonatal Extracorporeal Life Support: Impact of New Therapies on Survival. The Journal of Pediatrics, 148, 595-599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.12.024
- 18. UK Collaborative ECMO Trail Group (1996) UK Collaborative Randomised Trial of Neonatal Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. The Lancet, 348, 75-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(96)04100-1
- 19. Ahanya, S.N., Lakshmanan, J., Morgan, B.L. and Ross, M.G. (2005) Meconium Passage in Utero: Mechanisms, Consequences, and Management. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, 60, 45-56. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ogx.0000149659.89530.c2
- 20. Saunders, K. (2002) Should We Worry about Meconium? A Controlled Study of Neonatal Outcome. Tropical Doctor, 32, 7-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/004947550203200106
- 21. Shaikh, E.M., Mehmood, S. and Shaikh, M.A. (2010) Neonatal Outcome in Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid-One Year Experience. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 60, 711-714.
- 22. Scott, H., Walker, M. and Gruslin, A. (2001) Significance of Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid in the Preterm Population. Journal of Perinatology, 21, 174-177. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7200521
- 23. Sood, M., Charulata, D., Aggarwal, N. and Faridi, M.M. (2004) Amnioinfusion in Thick Meconium. Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 71, 677-681. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02730651
- 24. Patil, K.P., Swamy, M.K. and Samatha, K. (2006) A One Year Cross Sectional Study of Management Practices of Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid and Perinatal Outcome. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India, 56, 128-130.
- 25. Gupta, V., Bhatia, B.D. and Mishra, O.P. (1996) Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid: Antenatal, Intrapartum and Neonatal Attributes. Indian Pediatrics, 33, 293-297.
- 26. Khatun, M., Arzu, J., Haque, E., Kamal, M., Al Mamun, M., Khan, M. and Hoque, M. (2009) Fetal Outcome in Deliveries with Meconium Stained Liquor. Bangladesh Journals Online, 33, 41-45. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v33i2.5675
- 27. Wiswell, T.E. (2001) Handling the Meconium-Stained Infant. Seminars in Neonatology, 6, 225-231. https://doi.org/10.1053/siny.2001.0051
Annex A
Data Collection Instrument
S. No…………………
1) Medical record number ………………..
2) Gestational age of child a. Term b. Post term
3) Gender a. Male b. Female
4) Weight of child (kg) a. <2.5 kg b. 2.5 - 4 kg
c. >4 kg
5) Mode of delivery a. Normal vaginal delivery
b. Elective Caesarian section
c. Emergency Caesarian section
6) Booking Status a. Booked b. Unbooked
7) Meconium Stained liquor Grading a. Thin b. Thick
8) Apgar score at 5 minutes a. <4 b. 4 - 6 c. >6
9) Resuscitation at birth a. Yes b. No
If Yes then intervention done a. only oxygen
b. Bagging
c. Intubation
10) Elective intubation for suctioning a. Yes b. No
11) Chest X-ray a. Done b. Not done
If done then findings …………….
12) Meconium Aspiration Syndrome a. Present b. Absent
13) Complication: a. Present b. Absent
If present, then diagnosed as …………………..
14) Hospital stay: a. 48 - 72 hours
b. 72 - 56 hours
c. 56 - 120 hours
15) Outcome a. Discharged
b. Left without medical advice
c. Expired
d. Referred
16) Ventilator need after referral a. Yes b. No