There were 2607 infants born during this study pe- riod; 438 (17%) infants had meconium-stained fluid; meconium aspiration syndrome developed in 38 (9%) of this group, and none died. Of the 438 infants with meconium-stained fluid, 221 underwent "early" oronasopharyngeal DeLee suctioning, whereas 217 in- fants were suctioned "late". In the "early" oronaso- pharyngeal DeLee suctioning group we were able to perform tracheal suctioning as planned in 89% of the infants, whereas 72% received tracheal suctioning in the "late" group. Meconium aspiration syndrome sub- sequently developed in 10% of the infants receiving "early" oronasopharyngeal DeLee suctioning and in 7% of the infants suctioned "late" (Table II).