Come, Get to know Mekonium and the Risk of Disease Behind It

Meconium is a medical term that is interpreted as a baby's first stool. Normally, meconium is released by the baby after birth. However, there are also babies who release it while still in the womb. These conditions can be bad for the baby. The first stool issued by the baby is different from the usual baby feces. Want to know what are the characteristics of baby meconium? The following explanation.

Mekonium Characteristics

The following are the characteristics of meconium that you need to know:

1. Meconium does not smell

Stools are usually synonymous with odor, right? However, it is different with meconium. Meconium does not smell, you know. This is because meconium is still sterile, aka untouched by bacteria in the baby's intestine. New bacteria begin to emerge when the baby starts to get milk or milk intake.

2. Meconium contains fine hairs

Meconium composition consists of substances that are swallowed by the baby while he is in the uterus, such as water, amniotic fluid, mucus, bile removal, and skin cells. So, do not be surprised if you see any hair on the meconium, because fine hairs that cover the body itself can also be swallowed by the baby.

3. Green-black Mekonium

Meconium is dark green or greenish black, and has a thick, sticky texture that resembles tar.

4. Meconium will be released by the baby within 24 hours

Most likely, your baby will secrete meconium for the first time within 24 hours of birth. In some circumstances, meconium may not come out within the first 24 hours of a baby's age. This can be caused by intestinal disorders, blocked stools, or disorders of the digestive tract, such as atresia ani.

Danger of Inhaling Meconium in the Womb

Although meconium should be released in the first 24 hours after the baby is born, it is possible for the baby to remove the meconium while he is still in the womb. The causes are varied, and one of them is a stressed fetus. Meconium that comes out in the womb can be mixed with amniotic water. This is very dangerous, because meconium can be inhaled by babies, either before, during, or after delivery. This condition is called meconium aspiration syndrome. The entry of meconium into the baby's lungs can cause various disorders, such as inflammation and infection of the lungs, but can also make the baby's lungs expand excessively. Abnormal lung development can increase the risk of accumulation of air in the chest cavity and around the lungs. This condition is known as pneumothorax, and can make the baby difficult to breathe. On the other hand, meconium aspiration syndrome can also increase the risk of babies experiencing pulmonary hypertension. This is very dangerous, because it can inhibit the baby's blood flow and make it difficult to breathe. Not only that, severe meconium aspiration can also cause serious complications in the form of permanent brain damage in infants. To prevent the baby from expelling his first stool or meconium in the womb, keep your fetus from stress. In addition, regularly check with your fetus to the obstetrician so that the signs of meconium aspiration syndrome can be detected immediately.

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