Meconium Aspiration Essay

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Meconium Aspiration Syndrome by Bonnie Smith Neonatal Pediatric Respiratory Therapy Instructor Amy Rausch Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Meconium is a newborns first bowl movement. It is the stool that a baby passes before they have digested any breast milk or formula. Sometimes when a baby is still in the uterus, stress can cause them to pass the meconium into the amniotic fluid. The baby can then breathe the meconium into the lungs blocking the airway. When the baby is delivered the first breath can then drive the meconium even further into the lungs. This is known as meconium aspiration. Meconium aspiration is more common in births that are overdue or past term. Most physicians will know in advance if a baby has passed meconium because it will show up in the amniotic fluid, when the mother’s water is broke. If the mother’s water breaks before she reaches the hospital, she should notify her Dr. If the fluid is brown or greenish; Amniotic fluid should be clear. A fetal monitor can also detect meconium aspiration. The fetal monitor will show a slow heart rate. After delivery signs of aspiration may include, rapid or labored breathing, bluish colored skin (cyanosis), limpness and bradycardia or slow heart rate. Meconium in the uterus can cause complete airway obstruction which can then lead to atelectasis. Atelectasis is a collapse of alveoli caused by an absence of air in the lung. Most atelectasis is sub segmental, meaning segments or lobes may be collapsed. (Walsh, Czervinske, & Diblasi 2010) Meconium also interferes with surfactant functions and can inhibit the production of surfactant. Surfactant is a complex substance containing phospholipids and a number of proteins. This essential fluid is produced by the Type II alveolar cells, and lines the alveoli and smallest bronchioles. Surfactant reduces surface tension throughout the lung, thereby

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