Meconium aspiration syndrome

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening condition in which fetuses and newborns aspirate amniotic fluids that contain their meconium (first stool of a newborn). It can take place before, or during delivery, and is characterized by respiratory distress, grunting, tachypnea (abnormally rapid heartbeat), and cyanosis (skin bluish discoloration). This is usually accompanied by a baby that's born covered with meconium on the skin. Babies who have Meconium aspiration syndrome are treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).