What is meconium?

Meconium – what is it?

Meconium is the substance with which the intestines of the foetus are filled. It consists of amniotic fluid, bilirubin, digestive enzymes and the epithelium present in the digestive tract. It is dark green or even almost black in colour and is usually thick and abundant. The presence of meconium outside the baby’s digestive tract is responsible for the green amniotic fluid.

When does the child excrete meconium?

The baby usually excretes meconium in the first few days (up to 48 hours) after birth. Some babies, especially those with a pelvic position, excrete meconium during birth, others before birth. If no meconium is excreted, this may be the first sign of Hirschsprung’s disease or cystic fibrosis and requires further diagnosis.

If meconium is excreted too quickly while the baby is still in the mother’s womb, this may be due to hypoxia, among other things. Meconium discharge is then a stress reaction of the baby. However, green amniotic fluid is not always associated with hypoxia in the baby.  It can accompany a pregnancy after the due date and be related to the effects of meconium on the baby’s digestive tract. In addition, meconium can also be excreted by stimulation of the vagus nerve during the descent of the head in the birth canal.

Meconium aspiration syndrome

One of the most dangerous complications of meconium leakage before birth and green amniotic fluid is meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). The mortality rate for newborn babies is up to 14%. The reason for this is that meconium blocks the baby’s bronchial tubes and prevents proper breathing and oxygenation. It also favours the development of respiratory infections, which are particularly dangerous for newborns. Pneumothorax is also a complication of meconium aspiration syndrome.