Should My Doctor Have Prevented My Child From Inhaling Meconium?

 Posted on August 23, 2022 in Birth Injury

Before an infant is born, his bodily waste is sent through the umbilical cord and placenta to be processed and eliminated by the mother’s body. Once a child is born, however, his digestive tract begins functioning and the first poop a child produces is a thick tar-like substance called meconium. For first-time parents who are not expecting meconium, this can be alarming, but it is perfectly normal. 

Rarely, an infant will begin pooping during labor. Meconium can be passed while a baby is still in the uterus, causing it to move around in the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. Most of the time when this happens, the baby does not breathe in any meconium or amniotic fluid. But when meconium is inhaled, it can cause serious problems and requires urgent treatment from trained Illinois medical healthcare professionals. 

Symptoms of Meconium Aspiration

Babies are at risk of many birth-related injuries. Symptoms of meconium aspiration can be difficult to separate from other, unrelated causes. Doctors must be alert and prepared to diagnose and respond to meconium aspiration quickly and effectively. Symptoms of meconium aspiration include a baby who: 

• Has bluish skin
• Works overly hard to breath
• Is not breathing
• Is limp at birth 

If traces of meconium are present in the amniotic fluid, it is important to have a special care team available to respond to potential signs of meconium aspiration. 

Treatment for Meconium Aspiration

If a baby is crying and moving freely, no action is needed. But if a baby is not crying or moving, medical caregivers will treat the baby with escalating strategies. They may: 

• Keep the baby warm so he can maintain his normal temperature
• Dry the baby
• Stimulate the baby
• Use a face mask to deliver oxygen to inflate the baby’s lungs 
• Place the infant under close observation in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
• Treat possible infection with antibiotics 
• Use a ventilator to help the baby breathe 

Dangers of Meconium Aspiration

When serious cases of meconium aspiration are correctly treated right away, the meconium may cover the lungs and make it difficult for an infant to get enough oxygen into his blood. If oxygen deprivation is prolonged, this can lead to asphyxia and brain damage such as cerebral palsy. A baby’s lungs may also collapse or rupture under the stress of trying to breathe, requiring urgent medical intervention and prolonged breathing and nutrition assistance in the NICU. Babies may also develop serious infections from meconium aspiration. 

Get Help From an Illinois Meconium Aspiration Attorney

If your infant was injured because a doctor, nurse, or other medical attendant failed to respond to the risk of meconium aspiration, or failed to treat meconium aspiration quickly and safely, your child may suffer permanent, life-altering injuries. To see whether you can hold your medical care team, hospital, or birthing center responsible, call the experienced Cook County birth injury lawyers with Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd.. You can schedule a free consultation by calling us today at 312-462-4200. 

Source: 

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001596.htm