Meconium aspiration syndrome occurs when a newborn inhales fecal matter before, during or after birth, causing respiratory problems. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and skin discoloration. Treatment involves removing excess meconium from the lungs and using respirators or antibiotics if necessary. Most children recover without long-term health problems.
Meconium aspiration syndrome is a respiratory disease affecting approximately 100% of newborns worldwide. It occurs when a baby inhales fecal matter known as meconium before, during, or immediately after birth. A number of factors may contribute to the disorder, including diabetes and hypertension in the mother, a long and difficult delivery, or various types of fetal distress. Meconium aspiration syndrome can lead to skin discoloration, difficulty breathing, slow heart rate, and possibly death if it’s not recognized and treated right away. When doctors are able to identify and treat symptoms, however, most children are able to recover in two to four days without long-term health problems.
Unborn babies get nourishment from amniotic fluid, the protein-rich fluid produced in the uterus that is swallowed and inhaled. Swallowed amniotic fluid is processed and expelled as meconium, a watery stool that is odorless and usually harmless to mother and baby. Problems only arise if the meconium is mixed with healthy amniotic fluid and inhaled again. Excessive amounts of meconium in the lungs can block the airways, lower blood oxygen levels, and cause severe inflammation and irritation.
A child suffering from meconium aspiration syndrome usually exhibits several symptoms, including rapid, shallow breathing and green or blue skin. Many children are floppy or have difficulty moving due to shortness of breath. Other indicators of excessive meconium levels include having discolored or thick amniotic fluid at birth. Doctors can check an unborn baby for signs of meconium aspiration syndrome using a fetal monitor, a device that tracks changes in heart rate. After birth, an obstetrician can diagnose the disorder by listening to the newborn’s lungs with a stethoscope, checking for unusual noises or other signs of airway obstruction. A doctor may also conduct a blood test to detect low oxygen levels or take a chest X-ray of your child to look for lung blockages.
A doctor or nurse will usually try to relieve symptoms by aspirating excess meconium from an affected child’s lungs using an endotracheal tube. Some children need respirators to help regulate their respiratory systems or antibiotics to ward off fecal material infections. A child who is not treated immediately is at risk of developing pneumonia or suffering permanent brain damage. The prognosis for children treated for meconium aspiration syndrome, however, is generally very good; most people do not have long-lasting lung problems or other adverse health effects.
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