My baby had trouble breathing at birth because he inhaled his own amniotic fluid, and now he has MAS. Shouldn’t my doctor have spotted the symptoms of meconium aspiration syndrome?

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While many children suffer meconium aspiration at birth with few long-term effects, some will develop meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) as a result of breathing in the waste products they excreted in the womb.

 

Your doctor should have been aware of the following meconium aspiration syndrome symptoms during the delivery process:

 

  • Dark green streaks in the amniotic fluid
  • Green staining on the baby’s skin
  • Cyanosis (a blue discoloration of the baby’s skin from lack of oxygen)
  • Breathing issues, such as interrupted breathing, rapid breaths, or difficulty taking in oxygen
  • Low fetal heart rate
  • Low Apgar scores in the moments after birth
  • Limpness or poor motor responses
  • Symptoms consistent with an overdue baby, such as overgrown fingernails

 

Children who do not receive immediate treatment may suffer complications, including aspiration pneumonia and permanent breathing problems. Children may need a high-frequency ventilator to open and feed oxygen into the baby’s lungs, and may recuperate in a NICU for several weeks until the lungs are clear. If treatment is unsuccessful, the baby may undergo extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a form of cardiopulmonary bypass where the baby’s breathing and circulation are supported by an artificial heart and lung.

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If your family has been impacted by a birth injury you need to speak with an experienced birth injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at 888.450.4456 to schedule a free consultation.