Meconium

Meconium

Meconium aspiration syndrome is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in babies with fetal distress. However, many interventions to prevent meconium aspiration gave not been shown to be of benefit.

If a baby is born through thick meconium and is unresponsive or is not vigorous at birth, the mouth should be inspected and suctioned to clear the meconium. If there is an individual who is skilled at intubation, the baby may be intubated to clear the larynx and trachea prior to initiating ventilation.

If the baby is born through meconium but is already vigorous, it is not recommended that the baby is intubated to clear the meconium.

It is no longer recommended to suction the nose and mouth of babies to clear meconium when the head is still on the perineum.