Is meconium stained amniotic fluid related to occult myocardial injury in term low risk pregnancies?

AimThe present study aimed to compare Troponin T (Tp T) levels of infants born with meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) to those with clear amniotic fluid.Study designCase–control studySubjectsThirty-five women who had delivery complicated by MSAF between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation were defined as the study group and women with healthy uncomplicated pregnancies with clear amniotic fluid who were matched for age, parity, and gestational age were defined as the control group.Outcome measuresCord blood Tp T level, gas analysis and neonatal outcomes were compared between groups.ResultsTp T levels of the study and control groups were 0.026 ± 0.013 ng/ml and 0.031 ± 0.016 ng/ml, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.132). On the other hand, the study group had a statistically lower HCO3 level (21.80 vs 23.60 mmol/l ) and higher rate of base deficit (4.85 vs 3.25 mmol/l) than the control group.ConclusionThe presence of meconium during labor is not related to occult myocardial injury in low-risk term pregnancies.