Meconium-stained amniotic fluid in labor: a randomized trial of prophylactic amniofusion.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of amnioinfusion in women with meconium-stained amniotic fluid on the rate of cesarian sections and on neonatal morbidity.

STUDY

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial. A total of 206 women with meconium-stained amniotic fluid were assigned to receive amnioinfusion via two-way catheter or no amnioinfusion (control group). The catheter was inserted and other treatment was the same in both groups.

RESULTS

Amnioinfusion decreased the rate of cesarian sections for fetal distress (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.79) and increased mean pH at birth (7.24+/-0.1 versus 7.21+/-0.1, P<0.05). It also decreased the frequency of variable fetal heart rate decelerations (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.92), and of meconium below the vocal cords in neonates (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.19-0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Amnioinfusion improves the neonatal outcome and reduces the frequency of cesarian sections.