Examination of the Association of Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid with Postpartum Infection and Fever After C-Section

Background Pelvic infections are among the most prevalent and serious postpartum complications. Over the past several decades, these infections, along with preeclampsia and hemorrhage, have constituted the triad of death among mothers. The presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid has been considered as one of the risk factors for postpartum infections. This study aimed to investigate the association of meconium-stained amniotic fluid with postpartum infection and fever. Methods This prospective cohort study included 200 singleton term pregnant women, referred for childbirth to Imam Khomeini and Razi hospitals of Ahvaz in 2014. The women were assigned to two groups, ie, subjects with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (exposure group) and subjects with clear amniotic fluid (control group). The participants in the two groups were identical in terms of maternal age, gestational age, parity, and duration of ruptured membranes. Pregnant women who had underlying medical problems were excluded from the study. Both groups received intravenous ampicillin half an hour before the surgery until 48 hours after the surgery, based on the protocol introduced by the hospital for women planning cesarean section. The two groups were compared regarding post-C. Section infection. The exposure group consisted of 100 subjects with meconium-stained amniotic fluid, while the control group included 100 subjects with clear amniotic fluid. The participants were observed for maternal prognosis, based on postpartum infections. Results Both groups underwent C-section. In the exposure and control groups, 14 (14%) and 12 (12%) women had fever after C-section, respectively. Moreover, 6 (6%) and 3 (3%) women in the exposure and control groups had post-C. section wound infections, respectively. Conclusions No significant difference was found in post-C. Section fever and wound infection between the two groups, which might be related to the duration of intravenous antibiotic administration. To examine the effects of intravenous antibiotics, further studies should be conducted. In both groups, the highest incidence of fever was observed among women younger than 20 years; this result was statistically significant.