What are the grades of meconium?

[1] The meconium staining of the amniotic fluid was classified as Grade I, II, III. By visual examination after spontaneous or artificial rupture of membranes. Grade I meconium stained liquor is translucent, light yellow green in colour, grade II MSL is opalescent with deep green and light yellow in colour.

What are the causes of meconium aspiration syndrome?

What Causes Meconium Aspiration Syndrome? Meconium aspiration happens when a baby is stressed and gasps while still in the womb, or soon after delivery when taking those first breaths of air. When gasping, a baby may inhale amniotic fluid and any meconium in it.

What are the clinical manifestations of meconium aspiration syndrome?

Symptoms and Signs

Signs of meconium aspiration syndrome include tachypnea, nasal flaring, retractions, cyanosis or desaturation, rales, rhonchi, and greenish yellow staining of the umbilical cord, nail beds, or skin. Meconium staining may be visible in the oropharynx and (on intubation) in the larynx and trachea.

What are the characteristics of meconium?

The first bowel movement a baby has is called meconium. Meconium is composed of amniotic fluid, mucus, lanugo (the fine hair that covers the baby’s body), bile, and cells that have been shed from the skin and the intestinal tract. Meconium is thick, greenish black, and sticky.

What is the complication of meconium aspiration syndrome?

Complications of meconium aspiration

Meconium particles in the amniotic fluid can block small airways and prevent a baby from breathing properly, causing respiratory distress. If this occurs, some babies may need the help of a mechanical breathing machine.

What are the risks of meconium aspiration?

Air may then accumulate within the chest cavity around the lung (pneumothorax. This disorder may develop in newborns who have lung disorders such as respiratory… read more ). Meconium aspirated into the lungs also causes inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis) and increases the risk of lung infection.

What causes meconium stained amniotic fluid?

Intrauterine distress can cause passage of meconium into the amniotic fluid. Factors that promote the passage in utero include placental insufficiency, maternal hypertension, preeclampsia, oligohydramnios, infection, acidosis, and maternal drug abuse, especially use of tobacco and cocaine.

What happens when a baby swallowed meconium during Labour?

Meconium particles in the amniotic fluid can block small airways and prevent the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide after birth. Some babies have immediate respiratory distress and have to be resuscitated at birth. Others develop respiratory distress within a few hours.

What happens if baby poops in womb before birth?

If your baby poops in the womb or during the birthing process, they might develop a dangerous lung condition called meconium aspiration. Babies are at risk for passing meconium before birth if: The mother has preeclampsia. The labor or delivery is particularly stressful.

Do babies recover from meconium aspiration?

It may also trap air in the baby’s lungs. It can also cause an infection such as pneumonia. Most babies generally get better within a few days. But severe cases of meconium aspiration may lead to death in a small number of babies.

Can meconium cause brain damage?

Meconium may be a sign or a cause of oxygen deprivation. Unless labour, delivery and the baby’s first few minutes of life are properly managed, meconium can lead to brain injury, cerebral palsy and lifelong disability.

What are the long term effects of meconium aspiration?

Long-term respiratory complications from meconium aspiration can manifest as an oxygen requirement, severe asthma-like symptoms, poor growth, and frequent cases of viral or bacterial pneumonia. Most infants recover from MAS if treated by an experienced medical team who acts quickly.

How is meconium aspiration syndrome diagnosed?

At birth, meconium can be seen in the amniotic fluid. The most accurate test to check for possible meconium aspiration involves looking for meconium staining on the vocal cords with a laryngoscope. Abnormal breath sounds, especially coarse, crackly sounds, are heard through a stethoscope.

Which is the most accurate diagnostic tool for meconium aspiration syndrome?

This present study demonstrated that lung ultrasonography was accurate and reliable for the diagnosis of MAS.