The Significance of ‘Non-Significant’ Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid (MSAF): Colour versus Contents
Mareike Bolten, Edwin Chandraharan
Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research · pp. 1–7 · Published 2 Aug 2019
10.9734/jammr/2019/v30i530192Abstract
The presence of ‘thin’ or ‘non-significant’ meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is currently being considered by some intrapartum guidelines as ‘low risk’, requiring only an intermittent auscultation and not continuous electronic fetal heart rate monitoring using the cardiotocograph (CTG). Clinicians not only must exclude ‘non-physiological’ causes of MSAF but consider the potential effect of MSAF on fetal wellbeing, irrespective of whether the passage was secondary to a normal physiological process or due to an underlying pathology. Management decisions should be made based on the parity, rate of progress of labour, cervical dilatation at diagnosis, and observed CTG changes and the risk factors such as multiple pregnancy and intra-uterine growth restriction. Presence of any meconium within the amniotic fluid should be considered as an important intrapartum risk factor. The thin meconium may be ‘non-significant’ on visual inspection, but it is very significant from the point of view of a fetus, who is covered with toxic materials within the surrounding amniotic fluid.
Cited by 12
Edwin Chandraharan, Ilenia Mappa, Anna Gracia Perez-Bonfils · The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine · 2026
Edwin Chandraharan, Yash Kahar, Susana Pereira · European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology · 2025
Maria OIKONOMOU, Edwin CHANDRAHARAN · Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2021
Amjaad Althaqafi, Renad Hashem Ateeq, Douaa Mohammed Al-Bukhar · Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2021
Edwin Chandraharan, Mareike Bolten · European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences · 2024
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