Abstract
Meconium staining of the amniotic fluid is associated with an increase in perinatal mortality, the figures quoted ranging between 4.5-8.8%.‘,2 However this association is not exclusive and there are many situations where meconium staining of the amniotic fluid occurs without any antecedent or subsequent fetal compromise or distress3 Meconium consists of undigested, swallowed debris and various products of secretion, excretion and desquamation by the gastrointestinal tract. The dark green appearance is produced by bile pigments, especially biliverdin. Its passage into the amniotic fluid considerably increases the concentration of the particulate debris within the fluid and effectively increases its toxicity. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the passage of meconium in utero (Fig. 1):
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