How to Treat Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) can occur in babies that have inhaled or aspirated meconium (their first bowel movement) along with amniotic fluid during labor or delivery. Meconium aspiration can occur either before, during or immediately after labor and delivery. Treatment of MAS is crucial to the health of your baby. Often, there are no long term complications for babies who had MAS after birth, but taking care of the problem as soon as possible is very important.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Allow your physician to clear and suction the baby's airway as soon as possible after delivery. This procedure reduces the amount of meconium that actually gets into the baby's lungs when the doctor places an endotracheal tube in the baby's windpipe. This tube allows the doctor to remove meconium that is in the baby's airway.
2. Permit a physician or nurse to tap on your baby's chest. The tapping helps loosen any secretions of meconium in your baby's lungs. This makes it easier for the baby to get rid of the meconium secretions.
3. Give your baby oxygen therapy. Often babies with meconium aspiration syndrome have trouble getting enough oxygen into their lungs. Being under an oxygen hood helps your baby get more oxygen. In addition, a ventilator may be necessary when your baby needs a lot of oxygen. Ventilators also help keep your baby's lungs inflated.
4. Consent to your baby having antibiotics. Infections can occur in babies that have meconium aspiration syndrome, and antibiotics can help ward off any infections.
5. Have your baby take the drug, surfactant, if recommended by your baby's doctor. Surfactant is a drug that will help keep the air sacs in your baby's lungs open, thereby increasing oxygen flow to the baby's lungs and helping make your baby breathe better.
6. Allow your baby to have nitric oxide because it's useful in dilating blood vessels. This allows your baby's lungs to receive more oxygen and blood flow to their lungs.

Tips & Warnings

• Your baby will likely be watched carefully in a special care nursery or a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after delivery if she has aspired meconium during labor or delivery.
• Always ask your baby's doctor if you have any questions about the treatment given to your baby.
• The information in this article is not meant to serve as a substitute for regular medical advice and care from your doctor. Always talk to a doctor if you have any questions about your pregnancy or your baby.