Status of gastric lavage in neonates born with meconium stained amniotic fluid: a randomized controlled trial.

Lokraj Shah,Rupa Rajbhandari Singh,Gauri Shankar Shah,Om Prakash Mishra,Hanoon Pokharel

doi:10.1186/s13052-015-0194-7

Abstract

BackgroundNeonates born with meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) can develop feed intolerance during first few days of post -natal period. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with the objectives of to find out the incidence of feed intolerance in vigorous neonates with MSAF who received gastric lavage (GL) as compared to those in whom it was not performed.MethodsThis was a randomized controlled trial on 500 neonates satisfying the inclusion criteria, 230 were allocated to GL and 270 to no lavage group through computer generated random numbers.ResultsNo significant difference in the incidence of vomiting was found between GL and no lavage group (8.7 % vs 11.5 %, p = 0.305). Feed intolerance had no relationship with gestational age, gender, birth weight and mode of delivery. No neonates of GL group developed any complications related to the procedure.ConclusionThus, it may be concluded that gastric lavage is not required in neonates born with MSAF.

Highlights

Neonates born with meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) can develop feed intolerance during first few days of post -natal period
The present study was undertaken to know the utility of gastric lavage (GL) in vigorous late preterm and term newborns born through MSAF in comparison to those who did not receive as a primary outcome measure; and to find out any procedure related complications such as apnoea, bradycardia and injury to organs as secondary outcome
The mean birth weight, gestational age, gender distribution, mode of delivery, abdominal girth and median Apgar score at 5 min were comparable between the two groups

Summary

Introduction

Neonates born with meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) can develop feed intolerance during first few days of post -natal period. On the other hand, performing gastric lavage (GL) at birth for any indication is not a very safe procedure as it may be associated with complications like apnea, bradycardia and injury to nasal cavity, oesophagus and stomach [5, 6]. It can cause development of the present study was undertaken to know the utility of GL in vigorous late preterm and term newborns born through MSAF in comparison to those who did not receive as a primary outcome measure; and to find out any procedure related complications such as apnoea, bradycardia and injury to organs as secondary outcome

Methods

Results

Conclusion