Meconium‑stained amniotic fluid is described as which color, and what risk may this pose to the newborn if aspirated?

Meconium‑stained amniotic fluid is described as which color, and what risk may this pose to the newborn if aspirated?

• A. Blue; neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
• B. Greenish; risk of meconium aspiration syndrome.
• C. Clear; no risk.
• D. Yellow; hyperbilirubinemia.

Answer: (B)

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid is described as greenish in color, due to bile pigments in the meconium. If a newborn aspirates this fluid, the meconium can obstruct airways and irritate the lungs, leading to meconium aspiration syndrome, a serious cause of respiratory distress and hypoxemia. The other color options don’t fit: blue would imply cyanosis not a descriptive color of the fluid itself, clear would indicate no staining and no related risk, and yellow would point to bilirubin-related processes rather than the fluid’s typical color. Greenish color with risk of meconium aspiration syndrome is the best match.

Meconium-stained amniotic fluid is described as greenish in color, due to bile pigments in the meconium. If a newborn aspirates this fluid, the meconium can obstruct airways and irritate the lungs, leading to meconium aspiration syndrome, a serious cause of respiratory distress and hypoxemia. The other color options don’t fit: blue would imply cyanosis not a descriptive color of the fluid itself, clear would indicate no staining and no related risk, and yellow would point to bilirubin-related processes rather than the fluid’s typical color. Greenish color with risk of meconium aspiration syndrome is the best match.