Frequency of puerperal pyrexia with meconium stained amniotic fluid.

Objective: To determine the association of meconium stained amniotic fluid with puerperal pyrexia. Study Design: Cohort Study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Period: 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2018. Material & Methods: A total of 66 women with singleton pregnancy, gestational age 37-40 weeks of any parity undergoing elective caesarean section were eligible for study. Patients with rupture of membranes (≥18 hours), preterm delivery and postdate pregnancy were excluded. During elective caesarean section, after rupture of membranes, women were divided in two equal groups. Thirty three patients with meconium stained liquor group (MSAF) and 33 patients with clear liquor group. Puerperal pyrexia was defined as temperature of ³ 38°C on any two occasions was reported during first ten days postpartum excluding first 24 hours. Frequency, percentage and mean ±SD were presented for variables. Chi-square test was applied to compare puerperal infection in both groups taken p £ 0.05 as significant. Results: Age range in this study was from 15 to 45 years with mean age 15 to 45 years with mean of 29.5± 2.5 years in MSAF group while 28.5 ± 3.5 years in clear liqour group. Mean gestational age was 39.1±1.0 weeks in MSAF group while 38.5±1.10 weeks. Puerperal pyrexia was seen in 45.5% patients in MSAF group as compare to 10% in clear liqour group (p=0.005). Conclusion: There is strong correlation between meconium stained amniotic fluid and postpartum febrile illness.