Meconium aspiration
Alternative names:
meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS)
Treatment:
The newborn's mouth should be suctioned as soon as the head is delivered. Further intervention is necessary if there is thick meconium staining and fetal distress. A tube is placed in the infant's trachea and suction is applied as the endotracheal tube is withdrawn. This procedure is repeated until meconium is no longer seen in the suction contents. If there has been no signs of prenatal fetal distress, and the baby is a vigorous term birth newborn and there is meconium staining of the skin, some authorities recommend no deep suctioning of the trachea for fear of causing an aspiration pneumonia. Occasionally, a saline solution is used to 'wash' the airway of particularly thick meconium.
After delivery, the infant is observed carefully. The infant may be placed in the special care nursery or newborn intensive care unit. Other treatments may include chest physiotherapy (tapping on the chest to loosen secretions), antibiotics to treat infection, use of a radiant warmer to maintain body temperature , and mechanical ventilation to keep the lungs inflated.
Expectations (prognosis):
Respiratory distress generally subsides in two to four days although rapid breathing may persist for days. Infants with severe aspiration that require mechanical ventilation have a more guarded outcome. Hypoxia in the uterus or hypoxia from complications of meconium aspiration may lead to brain damage (hypoxic or anoxic brain damage). The outcome depends on the degree of brain damage. Meconium aspiration rarely leads to permanent lung damage.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
If the baby is born outside of the hospital and exhibits any signs of distress, immediate emergency help should be sought.
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