Role of Antibiotics in Neonates Born through Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid

The objective of our study was to compare the clinical course and infection related outcome in cases of meconium stained amniotic fluid neonates treated with or without antibiotic therapy. One hundred fifty eligible neonates were randomized to antibiotic group and non antibiotic group. Both groups were compared for development of sepsis screen and final outcome in both groups were compared. The incidence of sepsis screen positive was observed in both groups. In antibiotic group sepsis screen was positive in 5 cases and in non antibiotic group sepsis screen was positive in 4 cases. overall incidence of sepsis screen positive was similar in both antibiotic and non antibiotic group. The difference was not found to be statistically significant (p value = 1.00 and chi square value 0.118). Final outcome in both antibiotic group and non antibiotic group showed that in antibiotic group, out of 75 neonates 71 were discharged successfully and 4 were died. In non antibiotic group, 73 were discharged successfully and 2 died, out of 75 neonates. There was statistically no significant difference on final outcome between these two groups (p value 0.68 and chi square value 0.694). Conclusion: There was no difference in the incidence of infection and in final outcome in neonates born through meconium stained amniotic fluid treated with or without antibiotics.