Introduction:
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a common cause of morbidity and
mortality in neonates born at or beyond term gestation. Meconium stained
amniotic fluid occurs in 4-22% of all pregnancies. About 3-12% of
neonates born by meconium-stained amniotic fluid develop respiratory
distress requiring NICU admissions1. The mortality of
MAS ranged from 25-40% in developing countries in the last
decade2,3. The last decade also witnessed the addition
of novel management strategies like avoiding routine ET suction in the
delivery room, CPAP as primary support, surfactant administration etc.
With improvement in supportive care combined with the above strategies,
the outcomes of MAS are improving4, 5, 6, 7. Thus
currently, there is a need to focus on reducing morbidities associated
with MAS.
The median stay of neonates with moderate to severe MAS has ranged
between 4-29 days with a median of 8 days8, 9, 10, 11.
Prolonged hospital stay is one of the vital morbidity associated with
MAS. Prolonged stay adds to both direct and indirect costs. Few studies
have evaluated the predictors of severe MAS9-10.
Although the length of stay was assessed in these studies, the
predictors of long-stay were not assessed specifically. In this study,
we aimed to evaluate the associated morbidities of MAS and predict
factors determining prolonged hospital stay in such neonates.