The Role of Prophylactic Antibiotics in Newborn Born through Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid (MSAF)

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of administering prophylactic antibiotics on the development of neonatal sepsis in newborn born through meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). Method: Total 200 babies born through meconium stained amniotic fluid were included in this study. 100 babies randomized to group a (antibiotic group) received first line antibiotics for 3 days and 100 babies to group B (no antibiotic group) in which no antibiotics were given. Both group A and B evaluated clinically and by lab parameters (sepsis screen and blood cultures) for development of sepsis. Both groups received similar supportive management. The primary outcome measure was the development of infection. Details of clinical progress during were recorded. All neonates were monitored for development of complications Result: The patient profiles were similar in both groups. The overall incidence of suspect sepsis was 9 % in the study population with no significant difference between group A and group B (7 %vs. 11 %, p=0.322). Incidence of culture-proven sepsis was also not significantly different between the two groups (5% vs. 7 %, p=0.3546). The incidence of mortality, meconium aspiration syndrome, and other complications was comparable amongst the two groups. Final outcome and duration of stay was also not significantly different in both group A and group B. Conclusion: This study shows that there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of development of infection, complication and final outcome in neonates born through meconium stained amniotic fluid when treated with or without antibiotics.