Fluid in fissures, pleural effusion, streaky parenchymal changes. Short-term oxygen supplementation. This is a self-limited illness that will resolve spontaneously. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Characteristics. Caused by the presence of thick meconium in the distal airways, causing a valvelike mechanism that obstructs air movement.
Meconium aspiration can occur in a stressed neonate in utero or at the time of delivery.
Deep fetal gasping causes the aspiration of the meconium-mixed amniotic fluid into the lungs. Thick infiltrates, air entrapment, pneumothorax. At the delivery of the head, the airway should be cleared by DeLee suctioning. Tracheal visualization and suctioning should then follow. If meconium is at or below the vocal cords, intubation must be repeatedly performed until suctioning returns clear fluid.