Hepcidin and erythropoietin measurements in the cord blood of neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid

Aim: To compare hepcidin and erythropoietin levels in the cord blood of neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) to levels obtained from age-, body mass index- and gravidity-matched neonates with clear amniotic fluid. Methods: A cross-sectional controlled study was conducted in secondary and tertiary care centers. Cord blood samples of 40 neonates following term gestations (=37 weeks' gestation) with MSAF and 40 maternal age-, body mass index- and gravidity-matched controls with clear amniotic fluid were analyzed in this study. Demographic data, delivery outcomes and laboratory evaluations were recorded. Results: Cord blood pH levels were lower in fetuses with MSAF when compared to those with clear amniotic fluid (P = 0.0001). Fetuses with MSAF had higher cord blood erythropoietin levels in comparison to those with clear amniotic fluid (P = 0.0001). Delivery outcomes and hepcidin measurements were similar in both groups. Conclusions: We demonstrated a significant relationship between erythropoietin levels and meconium passage, but failed to show the existence of a relationship between hepcidin levels and meconium passage.