Final answer:
The condition where sticky meconium causes intestinal obstruction is called meconium ileus, and when inhaled, it can lead to meconium aspiration syndrome, potentially resulting in serious respiratory complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to identify an intestinal obstruction caused by meconium formed in utero, which is sticky and adheres firmly to the mucosa of the small intestines, is meconium ileus. This condition results when thick, sticky meconium obstructs the intestines, commonly associated with cystic fibrosis.
During the second half of gestation, meconium accumulates in the fetal intestines and is normally excreted by the newborn soon after birth. While meconium is sterile and does not contain bacteria, it can cause complications, such as meconium aspiration syndrome if it is passed in utero and inhaled into the lungs, leading to blockage and potentially severe breathing problems.
Meconium aspiration syndrome can lead to a range of complications including labored breathing, pulmonary hypertension, and increased vulnerability to pulmonary infection, such as pneumonia. Treatment for meconium complications may include aspiration of meconium from the newborn's airways, administration of antibiotics, or additional respiratory support depending on the severity of the condition.