Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Flashcards
First stool passed by a newborn
Meconium
It happens when the stool went to the infant’s amniotic fluid
Meconium stained
Inhaled/Consumed by the infant in the amniotic fluid
Meconium aspiration
What AOG is meconium present?
10 weeks gestation
It causes the vagus reflex to be stimulated, resulting in the relaxation of the rectal sphincter that relaxes the meconium into the amniotic fluid.
Hypoxia
It is a fetal position that has a high possibility to expel meconium into the amniotic fluid from pressure on the buttocks.
Breech position
Color of amniotic fluid due to meconium staining
Greenish
Normal characteristics of amniotic fluid
Almost colorless with white spects.
How many percent do meconium staining occur of all births.
10% to 20%
how many of the newborns out of 10% to 20% of births will aspirate enough meconium to cause MAS
2 to 4
When will the infant may aspirate meconium
Either in utero or within the first hour at birth
It is avoided during 1st hour of birth due to tendency of meconium staining/aspirration
Fundal push
Assessment of a meconium aspiration syndrome
Difficulty in respirations
Low APGAR
Immediate tachypnea, retractions and cyanosis after birth.
The inflammation of bronchi that tends to trap air in the alveoli, limiting entrance of oxygen that causes barrel chest
Retractions
It is caused by trapped air that results to enlargement of the anteroposterior diameter of the chest.
Barrel chest
Meconium can cause Respiratory Distress in 3 ways
Inflammation of bronchioles due to foreign substance
Block the small bronchioles by mechanical plugging
Decrease in surfactant production through lung trauma.
Therapeutic Management of MAS
Amnioinfusion
Cesarean for deeply stained amniotic fluid
Tracheal suctioning
Oxygen and assisted ventilation
Antibiotic therapy
Administration of Surfactant if lung compliance is poor
Observe for air trapping in the alveoli
Warm environment
Chest physiotherapy with percussion and vibration
It can be used to dilute the amount of meconium in the amniotic fluid and reduce risks for aspirations.
Amnioinfusion
This is to prevent the development of Pneumonia as a secondary problem
Antibiotic therapy
Antibiotics for newborns
Ampicillin and Gentamycin sulfate - IM vastus lateralis
It encourage removal of remnant of meconium from the lungs
Chest physiotherapy with percussion and vibration
