What side effects can occur from the treatment of Meconium Aspiration?

The most common early side effect is a hole in the lung(s) from air being trapped by the meconium or from the degree of ventilator support required to get acceptable oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. It is treated as mentioned above.

The lungs can be injured from being on the ventilator. They may develop an inflammatory reaction to the irritation of the meconium and being on the ventilator and high oxygen concentrations. If this occurs, it may delay coming off of the ventilator and additional oxygen. This inflammatory response can occasionally lead to the baby having feeding problems due to increased work of breathing and needing extra oxygen at the time of discharge.

Infrequently, a baby may have severe meconium aspiration along with severe elevations in the blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs. This may require treatment with a heart-lung bypass (ECMO).