Differences in meconium stained amniotic fluid in an Australian population: A retrospective study

Meconium stained amniotic fluid commonly occurs postdates ( >40 weeks gestation) indicating fetal maturity. Previous literature indicates that different ethnicities mature at different rates. To compare the rate of meconium stained amniotic fluid of Australian-born and non-Australian born women. A retrospective correlation study design was implemented, using data collected in the birth outcomes system at one tertiary hospital. Data was collected from all women who gave birth to a term (>/=37 weeks gestation), singleton, liveborn baby between January 1st to December 31st, 2014. Maternal country of birth was used for comparison. Categorical data was analyzed using Chi-Square test for Independence. Continuous variables were assessed for normality, and differences were compared using an Independent t-test or a Mann–Whitney U test. All tests were two-tailed and p