A CONTROLLED TRIAL OF AMNIOINFUSION - THE PREVENTION OF MECONIUM ASPIRATION IN LABOR

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of amnioinfusion o n the incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome, perinatal asphyxia an d obstetrical intervention rate amongst patients with moderate and thi ck meconium-stained liquor. A total of 112 patients were studied in a prospective fashion; 60 received amnioinfusion and 52 served as contro ls. We have shown that amnioinfusion is a simple, relatively inexpensi ve and safe procedure. It benefits the patient in terms of reduction i n the likelihood of operative intervention (specifically Caesarean sec tion) for fetal distress and improvement in neonatal outcome with redu ced frequency of neonatal acidaemia.