Meconium
Meconium is a thick, greenish black substance that forms in the intestines of an unborn child (fetus). As the fetus swallows and digests the fluid (amniotic fluid) inside the womb, it produces meconium.
When the baby is born, meconium is the first stool the baby passes.
Meconium in the amniotic fluid may be a sign that the newborn experienced stress before birth. If meconium gets into the baby's lungs, it can cause irritation and inflammation of the lungs.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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