TO STUDY THE CLINICAL PROFILE OF MECONIUM ASPIRATION SYNDROME (MAS) IN NEONATES IN RELATION TO BIRTH WEIGHT, GESTATIONALAGE AND THEIR IMMEDIATE OUTCOME

Study the clinical profile of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) in neonates, in relation to birth weight, gestational age and their immediate outcome. Prospective observational cross sectional study. All preterm, term and post term infants, appropriate for gestational age with birth weight, delivered normally or by caesarean section or forceps, fulfilling all the inclusion criteria for MAS who were admitted to NICU, during the 9 months from January 2020 to September 2020 were included in the study. Over nine months' period, 574 neonates were admitted in NICU under that 312 neonates were in respiratory distress, out of which78 neonates were suffered with MAS. A detailed antenatal and natal history was elicited. Complications during delivery and details of resuscitation at birth, was done wherever required. Endo-tracheal intubation was done and bag and tube ventilation was given wherever needed. In MAS neonates, APGAR score at 1 minute and 5 minutes and gestational age was assessed with New Ballard’s score. A detailed clinical examination was carried out and respiratory distress was monitored by using Downes score system. Score > 6 was taken as an indication for assisted ventilation. 574 babies were admitted to NICU during the study period and out of them 312 were with respiratory distress. During the study period 78 (25%) babies had MAS. Conservative management was given to 59 cases (75.64%) and only 19 cases (24.36%) needed artificial ventilation, where indication was birth asphyxia, acute respiratory failure or other complications like pneumothorax. Out of 19 ventilated babies, 15 babies died and 4 babies survived and were discharged in good health. Conclusions: 1.Increased incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome was associated with increase in the gestational age (more in term and post term neonate, birth weight > 2.5kgs, 2. Highest mortality was associated with thick meconium and with low APGAR score at 5 minutes.