Immunological Significance of Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid with Complement Factors C3 and CD4 Levels for Pregnancy Health

Abstract

Background: Meconium stained liquor (MSL) occurs when the fetal anal sphincter muscles relax in utero, tinting the amniotic fluid green, yellow, or brown. It is less common in premature fetuses. Method: Complement factors (C3 and CD4) were assessed in maternal serum and amniotic fluid from 30 women with MSL undergoing diagnostic fetoscopy at gestational week. Serum levels were consistently higher than control levels, which were higher than levels in amniotic fluid. Results: In the MSL group versus the control group, mean C3 levels in serum and amniotic fluid were (200.3913±37.6689 vs. 155.1321.8257) and (100.912±22.1869 vs. 98.0027±30.0989 pg/ml), respectively, showing statistically significant differences (p<0.01). Significant differences (p<0.01) were also observed between amniotic fluid and serum samples (155.1321 vs. 200.3913 pg/ml) in the MSL group, but not in the control group (100.912 vs. 98.0027 pg/ml). Mean CD4 levels in serum and amniotic fluid in the MSL group versus the control group were (13.1072 ± 4.2871 vs. 7.8651±2.5954) and (4.0372 ± 1.766 vs. 4.2328 ± 1.3943 pg/ml), respectively, with statistically significant differences (p<0.01). Significant differences (p<0.01) were noted between amniotic fluid and serum samples (7.8651 vs. 13.1072 pg/ml) in the MSL group, but not in the control group (4.2328 vs. 4.0372 pg/ml). Conclusion: Elevated levels of C3 and CD4 in serum and meconium-stained amniotic fluid indicate potential issues in pregnancy, suggesting their utility for early detection of this pathological condition to safeguard fetal health.