Final answer:
Neonates with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome often present with respiratory distress due to the associated lack of pulmonary surfactant, leading to difficulty in breathing and impaired gas exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
Clinically neonates with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) will present with respiratory distress. This condition is part of a range of disorders of the respiratory system and particularly affects infants who are born prematurely. Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), which is commonly observed in these infants, stems from a lack of pulmonary surfactant production necessary for lung inflation at birth. Without adequate surfactant, dyspnea occurs, hindering proper gas exchange. Affected neonates typically display signs such as difficulty breathing, poor oxygenation, and elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.