Meconium

Aspiration
Syndrome
Adora Dela Cruz
What is Meconium?
 Meconium is a dark green fecal material
produced in the intestines of a fetus
before birth. After delivery, your newborn
will pass meconium stools for the first few
days of life.
 Greenish black in color with a tar like
consistency and is odorless
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
 Meconium aspiration is when the new
born defecates in utero and then
aspirates (inhales) a mixture of meconium
and amniotic fluid into the lungs around
the time of delivery
 MAS is primarily seen in full-term or post
term infants
Aspiration could result in:
 Partial
/ Complete airway obstruction
 Atelectasis
 Hyperinflation
 Pneumothrox
 Alveolar consolidation
 Decreased pulmonary surfactant
production
Normal Infants Lungs
Infant with MAS
MAS with pneumothorax
Common Signs and Symptoms
 Tachypnea
 Cyanosis
 Retractions
 Nasal Flaring
 Grunting
 Coarse breath sound
 Barrel chest (due to hyperinflation)
 Rales and rhonchi
 Prolonged Expiration
Treatment
 Bronchial Hygiene (lung
lavage/suctioning/postural change)
 Use of aspirator
 Warming the body
 Humidified oxygen
 Mechanical ventilation (severe cases)
 High frequency oscillartory ventilation or
jet ventilation
 ECMO (fin babies who have deteriorated)
Common Medications
 Antibiotics (Anti-infective from causing
pneumonia and/or other infections)
 Steroids (Anti-inflammatory response,
could assist in managing pneumonitis)
 Exogenous pulmonary surfactant
 Sedatives and paralytics (if mechanical
ventilation is required)
Thank you!!!
Adora Dela Cruz