MECONIUM ASPIRATION SYNDROME COMPLICATED BY MASSIVE INTRAVASCULAR THROMBOSIS

Fetal aspiration of meconium in amniotic fluid during fetal distress b y newborn infants can induce the meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), a form of neonatal respiratory distress. Should this event occur, admis sion to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and vigorous airway management and monitoring are required. We present a term gestation resulting in MAS complicated by a massive intravascular thrombosis. Despite airway management considered appropriate, the infant developed respiratory di stress a few hours after birth and died 5 days later. Postmortem exami nation showed a diffuse alveolar damage of the lungs with alveoli fill ed with meconium and amniotic epithelial cells as well as disseminated thrombi in the pulmonary vascular tree, portal system, suprahepatic v eins, and peripheral arterial vascular tree.