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Short Communication Volume 16 Issue 1
Incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome in newborns undergoing direct laryngoscopy versus those not undergoing direct laryngoscopy at birth
Ignacio Cancino Lorenzo, Martha Lucía Granados Cepeda
Received: April 01, 2026 | Published: April 10, 2026
Citation: Lorenzo IC, Cepeda MLG. Incidence of meconium aspiration syndrome in newborns undergoing direct laryngoscopy versus those not undergoing direct laryngoscopy at birth. J Pediatr Neonatal Care. 2026;16(1):51-53. DOI: 10.15406/jpnc.2026.16.00618
Abstract
Introduction: Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a major cause of neonatal respiratory distress associated with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). The utility of routine direct laryngoscopy at birth in non-vigorous neonates remains controversial, with limited evidence supporting its systematic use. Objective: To determine the incidence of MAS in newborns with a history of MAF who underwent direct laryngoscopy at birth compared to those who did not, as well as to describe their morbidity and mortality. Materials and methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, and retrospective study conducted at the National Institute of Perinatology. Newborns with MOL between June 2014 and June 2017 were included. Two groups were compared: those with direct laryngoscopy and those without laryngoscopy. Clinical variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 11,735 births were recorded, of which 170 presented with LAM (prevalence of 144.8 per 10,000 live births). A total of 140 patients were analyzed: 40 with laryngoscopy and 100 without. SAM occurred in only one patient in the group without laryngoscopy. The group with laryngoscopy had a higher frequency of low 1-minute Apgar scores (62.5% vs. 33%), higher NICU admission rates (30% vs. 14%), and longer hospital stays (15 vs. 9 days). No deaths were recorded. Conclusions: Routine direct laryngoscopy did not demonstrate a benefit in the prevention of MAS and was associated with increased intervention and resource utilization.
Keywords: meconium aspiration syndrome, laryngoscopy, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, neonatal resuscitation
©2026 Lorenzo, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.