Meconium

Meconium from 12-hour-old newborn — the baby's third bowel movement. Scale: 5 cm left to right.

Meconium is the first stool of an infant, composed of materials ingested during the time the infant spends in the uterus: intestinal epithelial cells, lanugo, mucus, amniotic fluid, bile, and water. Meconium is sterile, unlike later feces, is viscous and sticky like tar, and has no odor.

Meconium is normally stored in the infant's intestines until after birth, but sometimes it is expelled into the amniotic fluid prior to birth or during labor and delivery. Sometimes the meconium becomes thickened and congested in the ileum, a condition known as meconium ileus. Meconium ileus is often the first symptom of cystic fibrosis.

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) occurs when infants take meconium into their lungs during delivery.

Meconium can be tested for various drugs, to check for in utero exposure.

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