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Step 1
Notice medical observations prior to the delivery. Babies that may have meconium aspiration syndrome upon delivery tend to have low fetal heart rates. In addition, physicians may observe actual meconium in the amniotic fluid or the amniotic fluid may be stained greenish, alerting the doctor that meconium aspiration syndrome may be diagnosed after delivery.
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Step 2
Allow the medical team to observe the baby immediately after delivery. Babies that have greenish stained skin from the presence of meconium or a bluish skin color due to breathing difficulties may be diagnosed with meconium aspiration syndrome. In addition, rapid breathing, difficulty breathing or grunting sounds while breathing may lead to a diagnosis of meconium aspiration syndrome. Sometimes, babies with MAS are limp after delivery as well.
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Step 3
Permit the medical team to take an Apgar score of your baby at both one and five minutes after delivery. Scores below six at both of these times may aid in the diagnosis of MAS.
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Step 4
Ask the physician to listen to your infant's breathing using a stethoscope. If he hears abnormal breathing sounds, such as crackling or coarse sounds, a diagnosis of meconium aspiration syndrome may be imminent.
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Step 5
Let the medical team observe your baby's vocal cords. Using a laryngoscope, a physician can see if meconium staining is present on your baby's vocal cords. If meconium staining is present, this can help diagnose meconium aspiration syndrome.
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Step 6
Agree that a blood gas test be taken of your baby. This test measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your baby's blood, as well the pH of the blood. A low blood pH, a high level of carbon dioxide and a low oxygen level can all be indicative of meconium aspiration syndrome.
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Step 7
Have a chest X-ray performed on your baby. A chest X-ray that shows streaks or patchy areas on the lungs can be useful in diagnosing meconium aspiration syndrome.
