To determine whether umbilical artery lactate level were significantly different in infant with or without intrapartum meconium-stained amniotic fluid(MSAF).

245 term parturients with cephalia precentation, singleton fetus, without obstetric and medical complications from February 2005 to March 2006 were divided into two groups, in which there were 50 cases in MSAF group and 195 cases in clear group, on the basis of the presence or absence of MSAF.The lactate level and acid-base balance were measured at each delivery.At 4~6th and 26~28th day after birth, neonatal behavioral neudogioal assessment(NBNA)was taken for each newborn.

There were no significant differences in mean lactate level, pH value and BE in newborns with meconium compared with clear fluid(P>0.05).The lactate levels in MSAF group was negatively correlated with the pH value and BE(r=-0.64 and -0.63 respectively, both P<0.01).Compared with that in clear group, the lactate level was significantly higher in the group of MSAF with abnormal cardiotocography(CTG)and acidosis(P<0.05, P<0.01).There was no a significant correlation between the lactate level and the degree of thickness of meconium(P>0.05).There was no a difference of NBNA score at the 4〜6th and 26〜28th day after birth between MSAF and clear group(P>0.05).

This study were unable to demonstrate significant differences between the umbilical artery lactate levels in newborns with MSAF compared with infants with clear fluid.Otherwise, it was proved that all of the lactate level, pH value and BE in cord blood had similar predictive value for there was significant correlation between them.

meconium-stained amniotic fluid; umbilical artery; lactate; ashypoxia; newborn outcome