ABSTRACT
Aspiration syndromes are one of the common causes of neonatal respiratory distress and include aspiration of meconium, amniotic fluid, gastric contents, and blood. Although the pathophysiology and epidemiological factors of meconium aspiration are relatively well studied, the same is not true for the other aspiration syndromes. The clinical symptoms in any aspiration syndrome most commonly result from airway obstruction (atelectasis, air trapping and air leaks), parenchymal injury (pneumonitis), right-to-left shunting, and ventilation-perfusion mismatch. The meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is the most commonly occurring and best described of the aspiration disorders. As such, we have focused on the pathophysiology and management of MAS as a basis to guide the clinician treating any of the aspiration syndromes.
