Abstract

MECONIUM ASPIRATION SYNDROME (MAS)

G. Sushma Reddy, B. Vinitha and B. Venkata Phani Deepthi*

ABSTRACT

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a common cause of severe respiratory distress in a new born baby caused by presence of meconium in the tracheobronchial airways, which is also associated with a highly variable morbidity and mortality. It is a common problem that continues to concern perinatologists and neonatologists. It is a result of antepartum or postpartum aspiration of meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), MAS causes respiratory distress of varying severity, often complicated by air leaks or persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN). There is a tremendous change in the pathophysiology and management of MAS over last few decades. Supportive management, along with newer therapies such as surfactant, inhaled nitric oxide, and high-frequency ventilation, and chemical pneumonitis with release of vasoconstrictive and inflammatory mediators has resulted in marked improvement in the overall outcome of MAS. Fetal heart rate is the indication of MAS. The use of surfactant and inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has led to the decreased mortality and the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) use.

Keywords: Meconium aspiration syndrome, perinatologists, neonatologists, antepartum, postpartum, surfactant, inhaled nitric oxide, mortality.