What is the MOST important effective step in prevention of meconium aspiration syndrome?
ExplanationThe risk of meconium aspiration may be decreased by rapid identification of fetal distress and initiation of prompt delivery in the presence of late fetal heart rate deceleration or poor beat-to-beat FHR variability. Despite initial enthusiasm for amnioinfusion, it does not reduce the risk of MAS, cesarean delivery, or other major indicators of maternal or neonatal morbidity. Intrapartum nasopharyngeal suctioning in infants with meconium-stained amniotic fluid does not reduce the risk for MAS. Routine intubation and aspiration of depressed infants (those with hypotonia, bradycardia, or decreased respiratory effort) born through meconium-stained fluid is not effective in reducing the MAS or other major adverse outcomes and is not recommended for neonatal resuscitation.
