Meconium

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Meconium
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Passage of dark green, tar-like stool
Complications	Meconium aspiration syndrome, intestinal obstruction
Onset	Newborn period
Duration
Types	N/A
Causes	Normal fetal waste product
Risks
Diagnosis	Observation of stool characteristics
Differential diagnosis	Neonatal stool disorders
Prevention
Treatment
Medication
Prognosis	Generally benign
Frequency	Occurs in all newborns
Deaths	N/A

Meconium is the first stool passed by an infant, typically within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth. It is a thick, green, sticky substance that is produced in the intestines of the fetus and differs significantly from feces passed later in life.

Composition

Meconium is made up of materials the fetus has ingested while in utero. These include intestinal epithelial cells, lanugo (fine, soft hair that covers the fetus's body), mucus, amniotic fluid, water, and bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Contrary to normal feces, meconium lacks any microbial constituents as the fetal intestines have not yet been colonized by bacteria.

Appearance and Texture

Meconium's color ranges from very dark olive green to black, largely due to the presence of bile. Its consistency is viscous and sticky, often compared to tar. When mixed with amniotic fluid, it may take on various shades of green, brown, or yellow.

Passage

Typically, a newborn will pass meconium in the first few days following birth. The transition from meconium to normal stool is marked by a change in color and consistency, as the stool becomes less sticky and more yellow - a reflection of digested breast milk or formula.

Clinical Significance

Meconium's presence in the amniotic fluid, a condition known as meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), can indicate fetal distress during labor and delivery. If the meconium is aspirated into the infant's lungs, it can cause meconium aspiration syndrome, a severe respiratory condition.

Gallery

• 

  Meconium from 13-hour-old newborn.

• 

  This image compares the appearance of meconium (from 48 hours after normal delivery at term) to the appearance of the same infant's faeces after 1 week of breastfeeding.

References

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