Post-Term Pregnancy as the Sole Significant Risk Factor for Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid

Abstract

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is a condition in which amniotic fluid is contaminated with meconium and is associated with fetal distress and adverse perinatal outcomes, including neonatal asphyxia, meconium aspiration syndrome, infection, and perinatal mortality. This study aimed to analyze maternal age, gestational age, and parity as risk factors for MSAF among delivering mothers at Panekan Public Health Center from 2021 to 2025. This retrospective case-control study included 385 participants: 77 cases selected through total sampling and 308 controls selected using simple random sampling at a 1:4 ratio. Data were obtained from medical records and delivery registers and analyzed using binary logistic regression with a significance level of α = 0.05. Gestational age ≥40 weeks was significantly associated with MSAF (p = 0.005; OR = 2.21), with ≥40 weeks occurring in 32.5% of cases and 17.9% of controls. High-risk maternal age (>35 years) occurred in 18.2% of both cases and controls and was not significant (p = 0.818). Primiparity occurred in 37.7% of cases and 33.8% of controls and was not significant (p = 0.454). In conclusion, gestational age ≥40 weeks was the primary significant factor associated with MSAF in this study. Enhanced gestational-age monitoring and regular antenatal care are important, particularly as pregnancy approaches or exceeds 40 weeks.

Keywords: risk factors; meconium-stained amniotic fluid; gestational age; post-term pregnancy