Frontier in Medical & Health Research
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025), Articles
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025)

ASSOCIATION OF ADVERSE NEONATAL OUTCOME WITH MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR IN PREGNANT WOMEN UNDERGOING LABOR WITH FETAL DISTRESS ON CARDIOTOCOGRAPHY

Articles
Published 2025-04-05
  • Saba Akbar
  • Prof. Dr Malahat Mansoor
  • Dr Mashal Zafar
  • Dr Khansa Majid
  • Dr Mohsin Raza
  • Dr Farhan Tariq
Saba Akbar
Prof. Dr Malahat Mansoor
Dr Mashal Zafar
Dr Khansa Majid
Dr Mohsin Raza
Dr Farhan Tariq
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Keywords

meconium-stained liquor, fetal distress, adverse neonatal outcomes, Apgar score, NICU

How to Cite

ASSOCIATION OF ADVERSE NEONATAL OUTCOME WITH MECONIUM STAINED LIQUOR IN PREGNANT WOMEN UNDERGOING LABOR WITH FETAL DISTRESS ON CARDIOTOCOGRAPHY. (2025). Frontier in Medical and Health Research, 3(2), 1130-1137. https://fmhr.net/index.php/fmhr/article/view/2003
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Abstract

Background: Meconium-stained liquor (MSL) remains a significant indicator of fetal distress and is frequently associated with adverse neonatal outcomes.

Objective: This study assessed the relationship between MSL and neonatal morbidity in pregnant women undergoing labor with fetal distress on cardiotocography.

Methods: This cohort study was conducted at Department of Obstertics and Gynaecolgy, Sughra Shafi Medical Complex, Narowal from August 2024 to January 2025, included 150 pregnant women (75 exposed to MSL and 75 with clear liquor) presenting with fetal distress at Sahara Trust Hospital, Narowal. Maternal demographics, intrapartum findings, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Poor Apgar score (<7 at 5 minutes), NICU admission, and early neonatal sepsis were compared between groups.

Results: Poor Apgar score occurred in 14 (18.7%) neonates in the MSL group compared with 3 (4.0%) in the unexposed group (RR = 4.67). NICU admission was significantly higher in the MSL group (22; 29.3%) versus the unexposed group (8; 10.7%). Early neonatal sepsis was also more common with MSL (11; 14.7%) compared with clear liquor (4; 5.3%). Thick meconium was present in 28.0% of exposed women, and non-reassuring CTG at delivery occurred in 44.0% versus 22.7% in the unexposed group. Multivariable regression identified MSL as an independent predictor of adverse neonatal outcome (adjusted OR = 3.92, 95% CI: 1.88–8.18), along with non-reassuring CTG (OR = 2.46) and prolonged labor (OR = 2.15). Conclusion: Meconium-stained liquor significantly increases the risk of neonatal morbidity among women experiencing fetal distress, leading to higher rates of poor Apgar scores, NICU admissions, and early neonatal sepsis.

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