Meconium aspiration syndrome

Background

• May cause meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) in a newborn infant that was born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF)
• The presentation can range from mild respiratory distress to life-threatening respiratory failure and to make the diagnosis the symptoms cannot be better explained otherwise.
• Incidence is 2-10% of infants born through MSAF
• Causes hypoxemia and acidosis via airway obstruction, chemical irritation/inflammation, infection, and surfactant inactivation
• Associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)