Question
My baby was born prematurely, and I’ve been worried about the child’s condition from the start. Recently, the baby has been experiencing a series of situations, and I’m very concerned, afraid that the condition might worsen. What are the effects of a fetus inhaling amniotic fluid?
Answer
When a baby is born, inhaling amniotic fluid can lead to “amniotic fluid aspiration pneumonia” or “amniotic fluid aspiration syndrome.” The greatest risk is the meconium aspiration syndrome. Newborn pneumonia is one of the leading causes of mortality in the neonatal period. It requires active prevention and treatment. Amniotic fluid aspiration pneumonia is not horrible if it’s not caused by meconium aspiration; it usually heals within 5-7 days. Common treatments include oxygen therapy and anti-infection therapy.