The time of passage of the first urine and stool by Nigerian neonates.

One thousand consecutive full-term healthy Nigerian babies delivered at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, were studied for the time of passage of the first urine and stool. By 6 hours of postnatal age 42%, 12 hours 76%, 24 hours 95% and 48 hours 99.8% of babies had passed their first urine. Similarly 56%, 81%, 96% and 99.8% of babies had passed meconium by 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours respectively. It is suggested that apparently healthy neonates who have not passed urine and meconium by the age of 12 hours should be closely observed and those who have not done so after 24 hours should be investigated for congenital abnormalities of the lower gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.