International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Author(s): Harini V, Shruthi RS, Meghana M and A Sai Sneha Reddy

Abstract: Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is seen in 10% of neonates born with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) with high mortality. Studies suggest proinflammatory cascade in progression to MAS with trials on dexamethasone use. An observational study, comprising of 40 term neonates born through MSAF. Cord serum IL-6 was measured by electro-chemiluminescence. The newborns were followed up for progression to MAS. We included 20 term appropriate for age newborns born with no fetal distress and clear amniotic fluid for IL-6 reference range. As the IL-6 values showed skewed distribution, comparison of median (MAS, no MAS, reference) was done by Kruskal-Wallis. Confounding variables were adjusted using regression. The median IL-6 values were 2297pg/mL in newborns with MAS, 2009.5pg/mL with no progression, and 49.8pg/mL in the reference group. The differences in IL-6 were significant (p=0.002) between the newborns with MSAF and the reference group, but comparable (p>0.05) between the MAS and the newborns with no progression. Factors like fetal distress and birth asphyxia did not influence IL-6 levels. Significant elevation of cord serum IL-6 was seen in newborns born with MSAF. However, it was not a predictive marker for progression.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33545/gynae.2025.v9.i6a.1722

Pages: 22-26 | 57 Views | 32 Downloads

Download Full Article: Click Here