Epidemiology of meconium staining of amniotic fluid in Hong Kong.

The characteristics of 94 patients with meconium stained amniotic fluid diagnosed during labour in the Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, from July to August 1984, were analysed. The incidence was 21.4% of deliveries. These patients were compared to a group of non-meconium patients (349 cases) in demographic and obstetric aspects. Patients in low social class and patients with antenatal and medical complications did not have a higher incidence of meconium staining of amniotic fluid. However, a history of previous spontaneous or induced abortion was significantly more common in the meconium group. The labour performance of these patients and the perinatal outcome are discussed.