[IgE level of cord blood in neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid].

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of meconium-stained amniotic fluid on the cord blood IgE level in neonates.

METHODS

A total of 404 neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid who were born by cesarean delivery between August 2003 and August 2005 (meconium-stained group) and 256 neonates with normal amniotic fluid delivered by cesarean (control group) were enrolled in this study. The meconium-stained group consisted of 80 cases of mild, 62 cases of moderate and 262 cases of severe meconium-stained amniotic fluid. The cord blood IgE level was measured using ELISA.

RESULTS

The cord blood IgE level in the meconium-stained group was statistically higher than that in the control group (t = 4.03, P < 0.01). There were significant differences between the mild and severe meconium-stained subgroups and the control group for the cord blood IgE level (F=4.28, P < 0.01). The cord blood IgE level in neonates with premature rupture of the membrane between the meconium-stained and the control groups was statistically different. Sexes, gestational age, birth weight and birth order were not associated with the IgE level of cord blood.

CONCLUSIONS

The cord blood IgE levels in neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid increase. Premature rupture of the membranes may be associated with an increase of cord blood IgE level.