During the stressful labor, the infant may suffer a lack of oxygen. The inhaled meconium can cause a partial or complete blockage of the airways, causing difficulty breathing and poor gas exchange in the lungs. In addition, it is irritating and causes inflammation in the airways and a type of pneumonia. Meconium staining of the amniotic fluid with possibility of aspiration occurs in approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of births. About one third of the infants with meconium aspiration will require some type of assisted breathing.
Meconium aspiration is a leading cause of severe illness and death in the newborn.
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