Under normal circumstances, the baby’s meconium (excretory matter) is stored in the intestines until after delivery. If the baby is in distress during labor, it passes this stool into the amniotic fluid and breathes it in. This blocks the airways, decreases oxygen supply and causes pneumonia. The medical team must work quickly to re-establish proper breathing and prevent and treat complications. This is one of the most common birth injuries and is classified as an emergency.
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a serious medical condition in which a baby breathes a mixture of meconium (the baby’s first stool) and amniotic fluid into her lungs around the time of delivery. Meconium is the early, thick, green feces of the baby. It normally is stored in the baby’s intestines until after birth. Sometimes, however, while the baby is still inside the uterus, the meconium is expelled into the amniotic fluid, either right before or during labor. This usually happens when the baby is experiencing fetal distress, especially when the baby is past the due date. Once the baby has passed meconium into the surrounding amniotic fluid, she may inhale meconium deep into her lungs. This can cause airway blockage and constriction, a decrease in oxygen in the baby’s body, inflamed airways and pneumonia. Meconium aspiration also can happen after labor, when a baby inhales meconium and amniotic fluid that is covering her body.
When meconium aspiration occurs, it is essential that the medical team act quickly to try and restore normal breathing and prevent or minimize meconium aspiration complications. Often, emergency resuscitation efforts are required to restore the baby’s breathing and, sometimes, the baby’s heartbeat. It is very important that the medical staff know how to spot the potential for meconium aspiration, and be equipped and prepared to handle this type of emergency. MAS is one of the leading causes of severe birth injuries in newborn babies, and it occurs in about 5 – 10 % of births. Failure to properly manage meconium aspiration can cause the baby to experience respiratory distress, hypoxic ischemic encephalpathy (HIE), seizures and cerebral palsy.