Abstract OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of meconium-stained amniotic fluid on the cord blood IgE level in neonates. METHODS: A total of 404 neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid who were born by cesarean delivery between August 2003 and August 2005 (meconium-stained group) and 256 neonates with normal amniotic fluid delivered by cesarean (control group) were enrolled in this study. The meconium-stained group consisted of 80 cases of mild, 62 cases of moderate and 262 cases of severe meconium-stained amniotic fluid. The cord blood IgE level was measured using ELISA. RESULTS: The cord blood IgE level in the meconium-stained group was statistically higher than that in the control group(t = 4.03, P < 0.01). There were significant differences between the mild and severe meconium-stained subgroups and the control group for the cord blood IgE level (F = 4.28, P< 0.01）. The cord blood IgE level in neonates with premature rupture of the membrane between the meconium-stained and the control groups was statistically different. Sexes, gestational age, birth weight and birth order were not associated with the IgE level of cord blood. CONCLUSIONS: The cord blood IgE levels in neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid increase. Premature rupture of the membranes may be associated with an increase of cord blood IgE level. ［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2007, 9 (4):361-363］
