Meconium was present now your baby has a birth injury. During your labor you heard the term meconium. What is meconium and what effect will it have on your baby? Meconium is the stool of the fetus.
In general meconium is not dangerous to the baby. It is a naturally occurring method of expelling waste from the body.
WHAT IF MY BABY INHALED MECONIUM?
We were recently contacted by a mother who stated that when her baby was delivered she heard one of the hospital staff indicate that meconium was present. Meconium can be a problem if any of it is aspirated (or breathed in) by the neonate. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) is a disorder by which the baby inhales its own waste.
When the water breaks staff check for meconium in the fluid. This can give them an indication as to whether the baby needs to be further monitored for having ingested or inhaled a large quantity of meconium.
WHAT IS THE DANGER OF INHALING MECONIUM?
Meconium in the lungs can prevent or slow the baby from being able to breath on their own and/or receiving air. Without oxygen or low levels of oxygen over a significant period can begin to cause brain damage.
Brain damage in a newborn can occur when it does not receive sufficient quantities of oxygen to reach the brain. If the flow of oxygen is diminished, it is described as a hypoxic event. If there is no oxygen, then this is classified as anoxic.
MECONIUM WAS PRESENT NOW YOUR BABY HAS A BRAIN INJURY?
Meconium was present now your baby has a brain injury? If your child has suffered an injury at birth in the state of Maryland and you would like to speak with me further this is what I invite you to do. Pick up the phone and give me a call. I can be reached at 301-850-4832. I answer birth injury and medical malpractice questions just like yours all the time and I will be happy to listen to your story.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
Boston Law Group, LLC
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
