Proportion and associated factors of meconium aspiration syndrome in neonates admitted to NICU Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital Bahir Dar Amhara Reginal State North West Ethiopia, 2025

Abstract Back ground: Meconium aspiration syndrome is defined as respiratory distress in newborn infant born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid whose symptoms can’t be explained otherwise. It is one of the common neonatal problems especially in developing countries which results in significant death. Knowing the burden of Meconium aspiration syndrome will help to give attention and decrease the risk factor. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the proportion and associated factors of meconium aspiration syndrome in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit, Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross sectional retrospective study was conducted among in neonates at NICU, TGSH from November 2023 to November 2024. Data were collected through chart reviewing by using systematic random sampling technique. The data were collected using Kobo tool collect. After checking completeness and coding, data were export to SPSS version 27 for analysis. Descriptive statics like frequency and percentages were presented with texts and tables. First bivariate analysis was made and all the variables with p-value less than 0.2 in bi-variable analysis were entered into the final multivariable logistic regression analysis. Statistically significant association was declared at P-value less than 0.05 with 95% confidence interval. Results: In this study, the chart completeness was 96.9%.  The study found that 8.5% (CI: 6.0-7.11) of neonates developed Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. Gestation age with AOR 5.179 (CI: 2.104-12.751), onset of labor with AOR 4.484 (CI: 1.259-15.962), and First minute APGAR with AOR 7.463(CI: 2.783-20.016) were significantly associated with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. Conclusion and Recommendations: The proportion of neonates developed Meconium Aspiration Syndrome was high compared to other countries. The findings indicate that post-term/date gestation and low first-minute APGAR scores and labor induction are significant risk factors for MAS. Enhanced Fetal Monitoring for Postdate and Post-Term Pregnancies: Close surveillance of pregnancies beyond 40 weeks to identify fetal distress early and prevent MAS development and Continuous fetal monitoring during labor is crucial. Keywords: Meconium, Aspiration, Syndrome, Tibebe Ghion, north west Ethiopia