What does thin meconium mean?

What does thin meconium mean?

Consistency of meconium was categorized into thick and thin. Thick greenish meconium with particulate matter in amniotic fluid was considerd as thick meconium while thin meconium was defined as light greenish staining of amniotic fluid.

What does it mean when amniotic fluid is meconium stained?

When your baby is born, meconium is the first stool your baby passes. But sometimes meconium comes out before the baby is born. It goes into the amniotic fluid. This is called meconium staining. Your doctor may see the meconium staining when your water breaks.

What is meconium staining caused by?

Intrauterine distress can cause passage of meconium into the amniotic fluid. Factors that promote the passage in utero include placental insufficiency, maternal hypertension, preeclampsia, oligohydramnios, infection, acidosis, and maternal drug abuse, especially use of tobacco and cocaine.

What happens when a baby swallowed meconium at birth?

Meconium can be swallowed, which is not usually a problem, or it can be inhaled into the lungs of your baby. This can cause a problem known as Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. Since meconium is a thick, sticky substance, it can cause problems for the baby inflating the lungs immediately after birth.

What happens if your baby passes meconium in womb?

But up to 25 percent of babies born at term pass meconium in the womb, staining the amniotic fluid dark green. In about 5 percent of those cases, meconium enters the lungs and causes breathing problems — a condition called meconium aspiration syndrome — which can deprive the brain and body of oxygen.

How do you stop meconium from staining amniotic fluid?

Regarding the postdelivery management such as routine endotracheal suctioning and intubation, reports from observational studies suggested that intratracheal suctioning could prevent the occurrence of MAS for meconium-stained neonates and significantly decreased the mortality subsequent to that disorder.

How do you stop meconium from staining?

How do you treat meconium aspiration?

How is MAS treated?

1. oxygen therapy to make sure there is enough oxygen in the blood.
2. the use of a radiant warmer to help your baby maintain body temperature.
3. antibiotics such as ampicillin and gentamicin to prevent or treat an infection.
4. the use of a ventilator (a breathing machine) to help your infant breathe.

Can you see meconium on ultrasound?

It has been suggested that meconium-stained amniotic fluid can be detected in the antepartum period by means of ultrasound, based on the following findings: (1) a diffuse echogenic pattern throughout the amniotic cavity, (2) a clear contrast between the amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord, and (3) layering in the …

What are the risks of meconium aspiration?

An infant with severe aspiration who requires a breathing machine may have a more guarded outcome. Lack of oxygen in the uterus or from complications of meconium aspiration may lead to brain damage. Meconium aspiration rarely leads to permanent lung damage.

What is the treatment for meconium aspiration?

How Is Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Treated? Most babies with MAS get medical care in a special care nursery or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and get oxygen, if needed. A baby who gets extra oxygen but still struggles to breathe will get help from a breathing machine (ventilator).

What happens when a baby swallows meconium at birth?

What does meconium staining of the amniotic fluid mean?

Alone, meconium staining of the amniotic fluid does not mean that your baby is suffering from fetal distress, but it will indicate your labor and birth team will look for signs of distress Light-colored meconium is not as much of a risk to your baby, nor is it as likely to be a sign of fetal distress, but rather the maturation of your baby.

When does the risk of meconium staining increase?

MAS is difficult to prevent. The risk of MAS increases after the 40th week of pregnancy.

What to do if you have a lot of meconium?

Amnioinfusion is where the sterile fluid is placed inside the uterus via a catheter to help dilute the meconium. It also can be used to add to the amniotic fluid volume. This could be done more than one time if needed and may increase your baby’s tolerance of labor .

What happens if you have light colored meconium during labor?

If meconium is present during your labor and birth, you will be watched more closely for signs of fetal distress. Light-colored meconium is not as much of a risk to your baby, nor is it as likely to be a sign of fetal distress, but rather the maturation of your baby. Thicker meconium is more of a danger to your baby.