Background: Delivery-room gastric lavage reduces feeding intolerance and respiratory distress in neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF).
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of gastric lavage on exclusive breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact in neonates delivered through MSAF.
Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Participants: 110 late preterm and term neonates delivered through MSAF not requiring resuscitation beyond initial steps.
Methods: Participants randomized into gastric lavage (GL) (n=55) and no-GL (n=55) groups. The primary outcome was the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 72±12 hours of life. Secondary outcomes were time to initiate breastfeeding and establish exclusive breastfeeding, rate of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge, time to initiate skin-to-skin contact and its duration, rates of respiratory distress, feeding intolerance, and the procedure-related complications of gastric lavage monitored by pulse oximetry and videography.
Results: Both the groups were similar in baseline characteristics. 49 (89.1%) neonates in GL group could achieve exclusive breast-feeding at 72 hours compared to 48 (87.3%) in no-GL group [RR (95% CI) 1.02 (0.89-1.17); P=0.768]. Initiation of skin-to-skin contact was significantly delayed and the total duration was significantly less in GL group compared to no-GL group. No difference in respi-ratory distress and feeding intolerance was observed. Procedure-related complications included retching, vomiting, and mild desaturation.
Conclusion: Gastric lavage did not help to establish exclusive breastfeeding, delayed the initiation of skin-to-skin contact in delivery room and reduced its total duration. Moreover, the procedure of gastric lavage was associated with neonatal discomfort.