Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

Meconium aspiration syndrome occurs when a newborn breathes fluid containing meconium into the lungs around the time of birth. It can cause breathing difficulty, inflammation, airway obstruction, or pulmonary hypertension. Meconium-stained fluid alone does not mean the baby aspirated or that negligent care occurred. A review considers fetal status, delivery circumstances, newborn breathing, resuscitation, imaging, laboratory results, treatment, and whether any lapse in care caused or worsened injury.