Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Complicated by Massive Intravascular Thrombosis

Consolato Sergi; Kirsten M. Stein; Bernhard Beedgen; Eugen Zilow; Otwein Linderkamp; Herwart F. Otto

doi:10.1055/s-2007-993960

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 1998; 15(6): 375-379
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-993960

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Complicated by Massive Intravascular Thrombosis

Consolato Sergi¹ , Kirsten M. Stein² , Bernhard Beedgen³ , Eugen Zilow³ , Otwein Linderkamp³ , Herwart F. Otto¹

¹Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
²Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
³Department of Neonatology (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Fetal aspiration of meconium in amniotic fluid during fetal distress by newborn infants can induce the meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), a form of neonatal respiratory distress. Should this event occur, admission 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 distress a few hours after birth and died 5 days later. Postmortem examination showed a diffuse alveolar damage of the lungs with alveoli filled with meconium and amniotic epithelial cells as well as disseminated thrombi in the pulmonary vascular tree, portal system, suprahepatic veins, and peripheral arterial vascular tree.

Keywords

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome - intravascular thrombosis

Full Text