The composition of meconium includes gastrointestinal secretions, bile, pancreatic secretions, various digestive enzymes, and undigested fetal lipids, keratinized epidermal cells, calcium soap crystals formed by intestinal substances, inorganic salts, as well as derivatives such as fat, bile acid, and bilirubin. Meconium is dark green, sticky, non-shaped, and odorless. As the gestational age increases, the amount of meconium increases and moves downward, and it is usually excreted for the first time within 12 hours after birth,. It may last for 12 to 24 hours, and in a very few cases, it may start defecating only after 24 to 48 hours. If a newborn has thick meconium accumulated in the sigmoid colon and rectum and has not started defecating 48 hours after birth, showing transient symptoms of low intestinal obstruction, it is called meconium constipation.
1. What are the causes of meconium constipation?
The causes of meconium constipation are mostly non-organic changes, rather than the formation of fecal plug due to thick meconium. It can occur in premature infants with low muscle tone, or in newborns whose mothers have used anesthetics or magnesium sulfate before delivery, or in newborns with diseases such as respiratory distress, cranial brain injury, sepsis, hypothyroidism, megacolon, and so on.
3. What are the typical symptoms of meconium constipation
The symptoms of meconium constipation are delayed defecation of meconium to 12 hours to 24 hours to 48 hours, gradually showing restlessness, abdominal distension, refusal to breastfeed and vomiting, the vomit may be yellow-green or fecal-like. The abdominal wall can be seen to be intestinal, and fecal masses can be felt. Rectal examination or saline enema can be used to expel sticky meconium, and the above symptoms will be relieved accordingly. If it occurs in newborns with certain diseases, such as hypothyroidism, megacolon, respiratory distress, cranial and brain injury, sepsis, etc., there are also manifestations of the primary disease.
5. What kind of laboratory tests need to be done for meconium constipation
What examinations should be done for meconium constipation? Briefly described as follows:
1. Laboratory examination
Meconium constipation is a non-organic disease, routine examination results are normal; if complications of electrolyte imbalance occur, blood sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium and pH value should be checked.
2. Other auxiliary examinations
Abdominal X-ray film shows that the small intestine and colon are filled with gas. Ultrasound shows dry fecal plug.
6. Dietary taboos for meconium constipation patients
The diet of meconium constipation patients should be adjusted from the beginning of pregnancy, and pregnant women's diet should be light, eat less food that causes heat, dampness and phlegm, such as large fish and meat, spicy and刺激性 food, should eat more vegetables and fruits, while maintaining sufficient nutrition, it can also keep the body fresh.
7. Routine methods for treating meconium constipation in Western medicine
What are the treatment methods for meconium constipation? Briefly described as follows:
1. Treatment
If meconium cannot be excreted smoothly, enema can be used to promote defecation, usually with isotonic warm saline, 15-30ml enema each time; also can use glycerin/sodium chloride (open rectum) 5ml each time, gently injected into the anus, retain for several minutes, effective as soon as possible, once a large amount of meconium is excreted, the symptoms will be immediately relieved and will not recur.
2. Prognosis
After the above treatment, the baby will recover after the meconium plug is discharged, and the prognosis is good.
