Question 1

what is meconium aspiration syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory distress: Meconium aspiration syndrome(mas) occurs when an infant delivers via meconium stained amniotic fluid which travels into the lungs and causes respiratory distress. You must exclude other forms of respiratory distresss. Mas can be mild to severe.  Severe forms can lead to severe lack of oxygen and respiratory failure. It can occur in 20-30% of meconium stained deliveries. Treatment is in the nicu.

Question 2

what are the long term effects of meconium aspiration?

Accepted Answer

Usually nothing: Meconium aspiration syndrome can lead to a very ill (or not) baby at birth but provided the baby receives appropriate care, there are no usual long term side effects.

Question 3

i had meconium aspiration when i was born. what causes this congenital condition?

Accepted Answer

Meconium: Aspiration is caused from a baby pooping and inhaling the contaminated fluid at birth.  It can be caused by stress during the delivery, infection, a tight umbilical cord around the neck, difficult labor, etc.

Question 4

should i be concerned if my son was born with meconium aspiration.. has anyone experienced this?

Accepted Answer

Depends on situation: This conditions varies from minor and inconsequential to life threatening. The condition the first day or two usually defines the degree of associated problem. Those that end up in respiratory failure on ventilators or ecmo do the worst.Those with transient breathing problems do well.I sit across from one now who is making straight a's in grad school.

Question 5

how likely is it that a baby with meconium aspiration will develop mental problems, cp, etc. in later life?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Meconium aspiration is caused because the baby was stressed prior to delivery. This can mean the baby suffered moderate to severe hypoxia and may need hypothermia therapy to help deter cp. If the baby did not have hypoxia prior to or during delivery, then CP developing is unlikely.

Question 6

is meconium aspiration syndrome ever fatal?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Unfortunately, meconium aspiration syndrome can result in very severe lung disease which can lead to death even if optimally treated.

Question 7

does meconium aspiration syndrome cause psychological disorder?

Accepted Answer

maybe: Mecononium aspiration at birth can cause a condition called an  'anoxic brain injury'.  This is when not enough oxygen feeds the brain.  As a result one can suffer with learning disabilities, physical deficits, mental retardation, and other disorders.  A psychological disorder can develop depending on multiple factors but not all ma babies will necessarily develop any of the above.

Question 8

what is the difference between meconium aspiration and meconium ileus?

Accepted Answer

Lung vs Gut: Meconium aspiration occurs when the newborn actually poops just before or during delivery into its fluid, gets some in their mouth/throat and then inhale it down into their lungs with their first breaths.  Ileus is when they have trouble even passing that first poop - can indicate guts aren't working right or other problems like cystic fibrosis.  One poops too early, the other not soon enough!

Question 9

is it possible that a two month old baby die from meconium aspiration?

Accepted Answer

No: Death form massive meconium aspiration occurs in the first days after birth. If the aspiration was severe enough to kill the child, the baby would have been hospitalized since birth on all types of breathing machines and been extremely sick since day 1. It would not occur in a 2 month old that did not fit this scenario and was home form the hospital and suddenly died or developed pneumonia.

Question 10

is there any better way of diagnosing meconium aspiration syndrome other than x-ray?

Accepted Answer

No: At this time, the best way to diagnose meconium aspiration syndrome is by x-ray with a compatible history.

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Doctor answers about:

Meconium aspiration signs

A member asked:

What is meconium aspiration syndrome?

A member asked:

What are the long term effects of meconium aspiration?

A member asked:

I had meconium aspiration when i was born. what causes this congenital condition?

A member asked:

Should i be concerned if my son was born with meconium aspiration.. has anyone experienced this?

A member asked:

How likely is it that a baby with meconium aspiration will develop mental problems, cp, etc. in later life?

A member asked:

Is meconium aspiration syndrome ever fatal?

A member asked:

Does meconium aspiration syndrome cause psychological disorder?

A member asked:

What is the difference between meconium aspiration and meconium ileus?

A member asked:

Is it possible that a two month old baby die from meconium aspiration?

A member asked:

Is there any better way of diagnosing meconium aspiration syndrome other than x-ray?

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