Fetal pulse oximetry and meconium stained amniotic fluid in labor

In our department we combined continous fetal pulse oximetry with prophylactic amnioinfusion during labor in 76 cases complicated with moderate to thick meconium. The retrospective analysis revealed that the presence of meconium below the level of the vocal cords had been significantly reduced. The frequency of cesarean section decreased, however due to the small number of cases it did not reach statistical significance. Our preliminary data suggest that intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry could potentially be used as a new modality in combination with amnioinfusion and routine monitoring techniques during labor to reduce the risk of meconium aspiration syndrome and the number of instrumental deliveries, and improve perinatal outcome.