meconium_aspiration_syndrome_flashcards
What does Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) refer to?
Respiratory distress in the newborn as a result of meconium in the trachea
When does MAS occur?
In the immediate neonatal period
In which type of deliveries is MAS more common?
More common in post-term deliveries
What is the reported rate of MAS in babies born after 42 weeks?
Up to 44%
What type of distress does MAS cause?
Respiratory distress, which can be severe
List some maternal conditions associated with higher rates of MAS.
Maternal hypertension, pre-eclampsia, chorioamnionitis, smoking or substance abuse
summarise Meconium aspiration syndrome
Meconium aspiration syndrome
Meconium aspiration syndrome refers to respiratory distress in the newborn as a result of meconium in the trachea. It occurs in the immediate neonatal period. It is more common in post-term deliveries, with rates of up to 44% reported in babies born after 42 weeks. It causes respiratory distress, which can be severe. Higher rates occur where there is a history of maternal hypertension, pre-eclampsia, chorioamnionitis, smoking or substance abuse.
A baby boy is delivered by emergency caesarean section at 42 weeks and 6 days because of fetal tachycardia and thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Intrapartum antibiotics were given as the mother was known to be colonised with group B streptococcus. The baby is cyanosed and tachypnoeic with chest wall retraction. Chest X-ray shows patchy infiltrations and atelectasis. What is the likely diagnosis?
Meconium aspiration syndrome
Transient tachypnoea of the newborn
Surfactant deficiency
Cyanotic congenital heart disease
Sepsis
Meconium aspiration syndrome
Cyanosis and chest X-ray changes would not be seen in transient tachypnoea of the newborn. Surfactant deficiency is typically a feature of preterm deliveries. Sepsis and cyanotic congenital heart disease may form part of the differential diagnosis but the X-ray findings and clinical presentation are most consistent with meconium aspiration syndrome.
