Prevalence of Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid and Predictors for Poor Fetal Outcomes Among Women Delivering at Bugando Medical Centre Mwanza Tanzania

Abstract

<i>Background:</i> Meconium stained amniotic fluid occurs in up to 20% of all deliveries and is reported to vary in different settings across the world. Babies delivered by these women are at high risk of low score and meconium aspiration syndrome. Limited studies have reported on the predictors for poor fetal outcomes in women presenting with meconium stained amniotic fluid. <i>Methods:</i> This was a cross sectional study involving 209 pregnant women with meconium stained amniotic fluid. Semi structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using STATA version 12. <i>Results: </i>A total of 1202 women delivered during the study period from December 2017 to February 2018. Amongst, 209 (17.4%) women had meconium stained amniotic fluid. Of the 209 babies, 35 (16.7%) had low score, 41 (19.6%) were admitted due to meconium aspiration syndrome and 3 (1.4%) died due to meconium aspiration syndrome related complications. Predictors for poor fetal outcomes were found to be Thick meconium (Grade III), Meconium as a new event during labor monitoring and null parity. <i>Conclusion:</i> The prevalence of meconium stained amniotic fluid at Bugando Medical Centre was found to be 17.4%. Thick meconium, development of meconium as a new event and nullparous were found to predict for poor fetal outcomes. Immediate interventions are recommended for those with the identified predictors for poor fetal outcome.