Every expectant parent longs for an uneventful pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child. However, new-born children can suffer from MAS when they breathe in both meconium (the child’s first stool) and amniotic fluid, the airways can then become irritated and the child’s lungs inflamed making it difficult for the new-born child to breathe. There is no known treatment available to prevent MAS.
Foetal distress during labour and delivery is thought to be the cause of MAS as this causes the child’s intestines to contract and relax allowing the meconium to pass into the amniotic fluid.
MAS can occur, during labour, delivery or post-delivery and the severity of the condition depends on the extent of meconium inhaled. Whilst all new born babies are at risk, MAS is more prevalent when the child is overdue, when the mother suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure or when the labour is difficult or lengthy.
An experienced clinician should be able to identify the common signs of MAS either during labour or immediately after birth. The most common sign that meconium has been passed, and therefore that there is a possibility that the new-born child will be suffering from MAS, is a blue/green staining of the amniotic fluid. Other signs include a green or blue discoloration of the child’s skin, umbilical cord or nails; low heart rate of the child prior to delivery, limpness of the new-born child and/or rapid or difficult breathing patterns.
Once a child has been appropriately diagnosed treatment should be commenced immediately – even during delivery! Such treatment can include cleaning of the child’s airways by inserting a plastic tube, known as a endotracheal tube, then applying suction to remove meconium that has settled in the upper and lower airways to ensure that the child receives enough oxygen.
Other treatments that may be required includes oxygen therapy, the administration of antibiotics, use of surfactant treatment to prevent the lungs from collapsing, X-rays to ensure the lungs have cleared adequately and blood tests to check oxygen levels.
Although easily identifiable MAS is often missed by the treating clinicians and as seen this can result in serious consequences for the child if treatment is not given quickly. Children who suffer from MAS are more likely to be susceptible to other conditions such as chest infections, breathing difficulties, including asthma, and more prolonged respiratory damage. In rare cases where the child is exposed to high levels of meconium, or treatment is not administered in a timely fashion, MAS can lead to permanent lung damage or even infant death.
For a free initial chat call Applebys Birth Injury Team on 0800 169 1325 or e-mail enquiries@applebys-law.co.uk.