Abstract
Objective: To determine frequency, stage and grade of placental histologic acute maternal inflammatory response (MIR) and fetal inflammatory response (FIR) in meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) in our predominantly African-American population.
Methods: Term placentas with MSAF (n = 310) were evaluated for MIR/FIR, including stage/grade, and compared with placentas with clear amniotic fluid (AF) (n = 250). MIR/FIR were also evaluated in thick compared to thin MSAF subgroups. Selected demographic and clinical features were compared.
Results: MIR and FIR were present in 57.7 and 40.3% of the MSAF compared to 44.0 and 29.2% of the clear AF group, respectively (p = .001 and .008). MIR with FIR was present in 35.8% of the MSAF compared to 25.2% of the clear AF group (p = .008); however, there was no significant difference in frequency of MIR without FIR between groups. There was no significant difference in frequency of MIR/FIR in thick compared to thin MSAF; however, thick MSAF was associated with higher FIR stage compared to thin MSAF (29.2 versus 5.4%, p = .004). This association was not seen with MIR stage or MIR/FIR grade.
Conclusions: Histologic MIR and FIR are frequent findings in MSAF. Thick MSAF is associated with higher FIR stage when compared to thin MSAF.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no declarations of interest.