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Meconium aspiration syndrome is a serious condition in which a newborn breathes a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid into the lungs around the time of delivery.
Alternative NamesMAS; Meconium pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs)
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsMeconium is the term used for the early feces (stool) passed by a newborn soon after birth, before the baby has started to digest breast milk (or formula).
In some cases, the baby passes stools (meconium) while still inside the uterus. This usually happens when babies are under stress because they are not getting enough blood and oxygen.
Once the meconium has passed into the surrounding amniotic fluid, the baby may breathe meconium into the lungs. This may happen while the baby is still in the uterus, or still covered by amniotic fluid after birth. The meconium can also block the infant's airways right after birth.
This condition is called meconium aspiration. It can cause breathing difficulties due to swelling (inflammation) in the baby's lungs after birth.
Risk factors that may cause stress on the baby before birth include:
- Decreased oxygen to the infant while in the uterus
- Diabetes in the pregnant mother
- Difficult delivery or long labor
- High blood pressure in the pregnant mother
- Passing the due date
- Bluish skin color (cyanosis) in the infant
- Breathing problems
- Difficulty breathing (the infant needs to work hard to breathe)
- No breathing
- Rapid breathing
- Limpness in infant at birth
Before birth, the fetal monitor may show a slow heart rate. During delivery or at birth, meconium can be seen in the amniotic fluid and on the infant.
The infant may need help with breathing or heartbeat immediately after birth, and therefore may have a low Apgar score.
The health care team will listen to the infant's chest with a stethoscope and may hear abnormal breath sounds, especially coarse, crackly sounds.
A blood gas analysis will show low blood pH (acidic), decreased oxygen, and increased carbon dioxide.
A chest x-ray may show patchy or streaky areas in the infant's lungs.
TreatmentThe delivering obstetrician or midwife should suction the newborn's mouth as soon as the head emerges during delivery.
Further treatment is necessary if the baby is not active and crying immediately after delivery. A tube is placed in the infant's trachea and suction is applied as the endotracheal tube is withdrawn. This procedure may be repeated until meconium is no longer seen in the suction contents.
The infant may be placed in the special care nursery or newborn intensive care unit for close observation. Other treatments may include:
- Antibiotics to treat infection
- Breathing machine (ventilator) to keep the lungs inflated
- Oxygen to keep blood levels normal
- Radiant warmer to maintain body temperature
If there have been no signs of fetal distress during pregnancy and the baby is an active full-term newborn, experts do not recommend deep suctioning of the windpipe, because it carries a risk of causing a certain type of pneumonia.
Expectations (prognosis)Meconium aspiration syndrome is a leading cause of severe illness and death in newborns.
In most cases, the outlook is excellent and there are no long-term health effects.
In more severe cases, breathing problems may occur. They generally go away in 2 - 4 days. However, rapid breathing may continue for days.
An infant with severe aspiration who needs a breathing machine may have a more guarded outcome. Lack of oxygen before birth, or from complications of meconium aspiration, may lead to brain damage. The outcome depends on the degree of brain damage.
Meconium aspiration rarely leads to permanent lung damage.
Complications- Aspiration pneumonia
- Brain damage due to lack of oxygen
- Breathing difficulty that lasts for several days
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (inability to get enough blood into the lungs to take oxygen to the rest of the body)
Risk factors should be identified as early as possible. If the mother's water broke at home, she should tell the health care provider whether the fluid was clear or stained with a greenish or brown substance.
Fetal monitoringis started so that any signs of fetal distress can be recognized early. Immediate intervention in the delivery room can sometimes help prevent this condition. Health care providers who are trained in newborn resuscitation should be present.
ReferencesCommittee on Obstetric Practice, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 379: Management of delivery of a newborn with meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Obstet Gynecol. 2007;110:739.
ACOG Committee Obstetric Practice. ACOG Committee Opinion Number 346, October 2006: amnioinfusion does not prevent meconium aspiration syndrome. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;108:1053.
Greenough A. Respiratory disorders in the newborn. In: Chernick V, Boat T, Wilmott R, Bush A, eds. Kendig's Disorders of the Respiratory Tract in Children. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2006:chap 18.
What else can I help you with?
Nursing intervention for meconium aspiration syndrome?
what are the nurses intervention for meconium
Can meconium aspiration cause pneumonia after seven months?
Yes, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) can lead to complications such as pneumonia, even several months after birth. The initial aspiration of meconium can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs, which can predispose infants to infections like pneumonia later on. While most immediate effects are seen shortly after birth, underlying lung issues can persist and lead to respiratory problems later in life. It's important for affected infants to receive ongoing monitoring and care.
What are the two most causes of lack of oxygen in infants?
The two most common causes of lack of oxygen in infants are respiratory distress syndrome, which is a breathing disorder primarily affecting premature babies, and meconium aspiration syndrome, where a baby inhales a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid during or shortly after birth, leading to respiratory distress.
What happens to baby if swallows meconium stool?
If a baby swallows meconium, it can lead to a condition known as meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), where the meconium enters the airways and lungs during or after birth. This can cause breathing difficulties and can lead to inflammation and infection in the lungs. While many babies may experience mild symptoms, some may require medical intervention, such as oxygen support or suctioning to clear the airways. Prompt medical attention is essential to manage any complications that may arise.
What is a baby's poop when it's swallowed during birth?
When a baby swallows meconium during birth, it can lead to a condition known as meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Meconium is the thick, dark green substance that lines the intestines during pregnancy and is typically passed as the first stool after birth. If inhaled into the lungs, it can cause breathing difficulties and other respiratory issues. Medical attention is often required to manage potential complications associated with MAS.
Can a baby swallow it's bowel movement if born by C Section?
Yes, a baby can swallow its bowel movement, known as meconium, regardless of the delivery method, including C-section. Meconium is the first stool a newborn passes, which can sometimes occur before or during labor. If the baby inhales or swallows meconium-stained amniotic fluid, it can lead to a condition called meconium aspiration syndrome, which may require medical attention. However, this is not specifically related to being born via C-section.
When you find saffron colored amniotic fluid?
Saffron-colored amniotic fluid can indicate the presence of meconium, which is the first stool of a fetus. This can occur when the fetus is under stress, possibly due to factors like hypoxia or infection. If meconium is present, it may increase the risk of meconium aspiration syndrome in the newborn, necessitating careful monitoring and management during delivery. It's important for healthcare providers to assess the situation and determine the best course of action for both the mother and the baby.
What is merconium?
Meconium is the thick, sticky, greenish-black substance that forms in the intestines of a fetus during pregnancy and is typically the first stool passed by a newborn, usually within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth. It consists of a mixture of intestinal secretions, bile, amniotic fluid, and cells shed from the intestinal lining. The presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid can indicate fetal distress and may lead to complications, such as meconium aspiration syndrome, if inhaled by the baby during delivery.
What the medical term meaning urine in the lung?
Urine in the lung of an adult would be very rare, so assuming you mean urine in the lung of an infant or newborn, the term you are looking for would probably be AFA or Amniotic Fluid Aspiration. After the 36th week of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid filling the sac around the fetus is made up mostly of the urine of the fetus. During labor and delivery infants can aspirate or breathe and pull the amniotic fluid into their lungs. This aspiration can lead to respiratory distress or respiratory distress syndrome and lung infections in the newborns. Sometimes the amniotic fluid around the time of delivery also contains meconium which is the digestive excrement of the fetus. Meconium aspiration is also a term used for this, and since the amniotic fluid is mostly urine, there will also be urine that gets into the lungs at the same time. Meconium aspiration can also lead to serious respiratory problems in the newborn.
Can a fetus have a bowel movement in the mother's uterus?
Meconium is the baby's first bowel movement and it is a thick green tar-like substance. For most babies, meconium is released shortly after they are born. However, some babies release meconium during labor and delivery. When a woman is in labor, her doctor will be able to tell if the baby has had a bowel movement because her amniotic fluid will be stained with meconium. The baby will be monitored very closely for any signs of fetal distress. If meconium is present during labor or birth, the baby can aspirate the meconium or swallow it. Once the baby is born, the doctor will perform suctioning to reduce the amount of meconium that the baby can aspirate. If the baby does inhale the meconium, it can cause Meconium Aspiration Syndrome which can lead to meconium aspiration pneumonia - both can be very serious. As a result, the baby will be closely monitored and may require a stay in the NICU for several days to a few weeks. Treatment may include antibiotics or a ventilator. The doctor will perform chest x rays to make sure the lungs are functioning normally. Babies swallowing meconium is more common than one may think. Ask some friends - chances are pretty good that it's happened to someone you know.
What is the prognosis for Wallenberg syndrome?
There is a 10% death rate due to complications like aspiration pneumonia, breathing difficulty, and cardiac arrhythmias.
What causes adult respiratory distress syndrome?
A very wide range of diseases or toxic substances, including some drugs, can cause ARDS. They include: Breathing in (aspiration) of the stomach contents when regurgitated, or salt water or fresh water from nearly drowning.
