Amnioinfusion for meconium-stained liquor

Abstract

Amnioinfusion reduces the risk of meconium aspiration by the infants of women with thick meconium staining of the amniotic fluid. The benefits are clear in facilities with high baseline rates of meconium aspiration, and are therefore likely to outweigh the risk of uncommon but serious maternal side-effects. Larger randomized trials are needed to determine more precisely the relative risks and benefits in facilities with low baseline rates of meconium aspiration. The addition of antibiotics to the infusate has not been shown to reduce the risk of sepsis related to meconium.