Who Does Meconium Aspiration Affect?

Affected newborns have bluish skin and/or lips, rapid and labored breathing, and can make a grunting sound when breathing out. The diagnosis is based on seeing meconium in the amniotic fluid at birth, along with trouble breathing and abnormal chest x-ray results.

Who is at risk for meconium aspiration syndrome?

A pregnancy that goes past 40 weeks. Diabetes or high blood pressure in the mother. A long or difficult labor or delivery. Decreased oxygen to the infant while in utero.

What can meconium aspiration lead to?

Meconium aspiration syndrome occurs when a newborn breathes a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid into the lungs around the time of delivery. Meconium aspiration syndrome, a leading cause of severe illness and death in the newborn, occurs in about 5 percent to 10 percent of births.