TABLE I:
Characteristics of neonates with and without meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) who experienced feeding problems at the first feed
| Without MSAF | With MSAF | P | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neonates with feeding problems (total number of neonates) | 42 (2553) | 13 (275) | 0.001* |
| Females/Males | 14/28 | 3/10 | 0.36† |
| Maternal opiate analgesia during labour | 1 | 5 | 0.001† |
| Fetal distress | 1 | 3 | 0.03† |
| Mean birth weight (±SD) (g) | 3060 (±586) | 3680 (±593) | 0.002‡ |
| Mean gestational age (±SD) (weeks) | 38.8 (±2) | 40 (±0.7) | 0.02‡ |
| Number of neonates with 1 min Apgar score less than 7 | 12 | 2 | 0.28† |
| Number of neonates with 5 min Apgar score less than 7 | 2 | 1 | 0.5† |
| Poor suck | 31 | 11 | 0.34† |
| Retching | 27 | 12 | 0.04† |
| Vomiting | 26 | 9 | 0.44† |
| Abdominal distention | 7 | 1 | 0.38† |
| Gastric feeding | 6 | 0 | 0.18† |
| Intravenous fluids needed | 18 | 3 | 0.17† |
| Mean age (±SD) (hours) when feeds tolerated | 13 (±7) | 9 (±14) | 0.42‡ |
*
χ2;
†
Fisher’s exact test;
‡
Student’s t test. SD Standard deviation