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 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 3

how far back can you detect drug use in meconium?

Accepted Answer

: Meconium is fetal stool produced in the amniotic fluid when the baby is in distress. It is most commonly seen in difficult deliveries with fetal distress. Moms shouldn't use drugs, especially while pregnant, as it can affect their baby's development and lead to developmental delays, behavior problems and low birth weight. Drug tests help authorities figure out which babies need extra help.

Question 4

what length of time does meconium represent for a baby?

Accepted Answer

Peculiar wording???: Meconium starts forming after the gut is complete.This is around 12 weeks. It accumulates slowly, and represents gut enzymes,liver discharge, swallowed hair and skin. It will usually not empty until after the baby is born.

Question 5

would meconium be positive if drugs used within days of delivery?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Not sure why the concern. Meconium is tested in addition to the urine to help understand how to treat infants with drug related problems. Honesty with the physician will go a long way to helping.  Better to 'fess-up so the dr doesn't have to guess.  All this information is protected (hippa). It is best not to try to get around the system.

Question 6

i fought with dcfs over the allegations that they took my child over despite my being clean and her meconium clear. they claimed in court that this must have taken place by accident, how do i describe the truth to a court of law?

Accepted Answer

: This is a public information site where volunteer docs answer questions about health conditions. It is not a source for legal advice. Please locate a lawyer or public defender service for such questions.

Question 7

how often is meconium drug testing done?

Accepted Answer

As often as needed: Meconium drug testing is often done to validate a positive drug screen in the mother or newborn as the method is not confused by some innocent otc preparations. It can also demonstrate drug use over the months prior to birth where a urine test may miss those not used within days of birth.

Question 8

does meconium determine how postterm you are?

Accepted Answer

? never heard of it: I've been in the business of caring for babies a long time and never heard of anyone relating meconium to gestational age. It starts forming after 12 weeks or so and stops at delivery. Post term status is most often apparent by physical exam of the baby.

Question 9

how long does cocaine stay in baby s meconium?

Accepted Answer

Months: Suspicion leads to meconium testing in a newborn as a more accurate reflection of past drug exposure than urine, that may only reflect a week or so.The material is built up over many months and the sensitivity of the test can pick up minute quantities deposited in the meconium  as it forms.This reflects exposures from the preceding month if not longer.

Question 10

how far back does meconium go back during a tox screen?

Accepted Answer

Months: The meconium is the byproduct of months of internal digestive work.Drug exposures during the pregnancy may be gone from urine if mom has not been exposed in a week or so, but meconium can preserve the material for months.

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Doctor answers about:

What is meconium

A member asked:

What is meconium aspiration syndrome?

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What is the difference between meconium aspiration and meconium ileus?

A member asked:

How far back can you detect drug use in meconium?

A member asked:

What length of time does meconium represent for a baby?

A member asked:

Would meconium be positive if drugs used within days of delivery?

A member asked:

I fought with dcfs over the allegations that they took my child over despite my being clean and her meconium clear. they claimed in court that this must have taken place by accident, how do i describe the truth to a court of law?

A member asked:

How often is meconium drug testing done?

A member asked:

Does meconium determine how postterm you are?

A member asked:

How long does cocaine stay in baby s meconium?

A member asked:

How far back does meconium go back during a tox screen?

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