Meconium pneumonitis

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Meconium aspiration syndrome in a term baby. Aspiration pneumonitis?

Patient Data

Age: 2 days
Gender: Female
x-ray

Endotracheal tube.

Diffuse consolidation and airspace change in both lungs, most pronounced in the upper lobes.

No pneumothorax.

Case Discussion

The typical appearances of an aspiration pneumonitis - in this case, the 'chemical' irritant causing the pneumonitis is meconium, aspirated at birth.

The changes are most pronounced in the upper lobes due to the neonates likely supine positioning at the time of the aspiration vis a vis the typical adult aspiration observed in the lower lobes due to being usually upright.

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