Intrauterine Meconium Aspiration in an Extremely Premature Infant

The in utero passage of meconium by very low birth weight infants: a marker for adverse outcomes

“…1,[3][4][5][6] The incidence in our study is 16.2%. Thus when describing the incidence of All values are n (%), unless otherwise noted.…”

“…However, the reported incidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid is only 3-6.7% in the preterm population. 1,[3][4][5][6] In full-term infants, it is well established that the in utero passage of meconium indicates an increased risk for adverse outcomes. Such infants have an increased likelihood of perinatal 3,7 and neonatal mortality, 3,[8][9][10] severe acidemia, 7,9 need for cesarean section delivery, 7,9 need for neonatal intensive care and/or oxygen support, [10][11][12] and adverse neurologic sequelae.…”

Chronic Intrauterine Meconium Aspiration Causes Fetal Lung Infarcts, Lung Rupture, and Meconium Embolism

“…Intrauterine MA is more common than is generally thought [32,[38][39][40][41][42][43]; however, there are no reports of prolonged exposure of fetal lung to meconium, shown in the present cases by old cystic infarcts containing inspissated meconium. The time needed to produce these vascular changes is unknown.…”

Meconium Aspiration in the Midtrimester Fetus: An Autopsy Study

“…No midtrimester fetuses were included. A small number of case reports also document late-trimester IUMA; the youngest was a liveborn infant at 27 weeks GA [1][2][3][5][6][7]9]. Two fetuses of 16 and 19 weeks had meconium-induced umbilical vascular necrosis, implying midtrimester passage of meconium [27].…”

“…Some early reports of intrauterine meconium aspiration (IUMA) were met with skepticism [1][2][3][4], but there is now no doubt that this occurs [5][6][7][8][9]. What is still uncertain is how early and how often IUMA occurs and its significance.…”