Question

Endotracheal intubation in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome should be reserved for babies with:

a) Low birth weight
b) Severe respiratory distress
c) Positive blood cultures
d) Apgar scores above 8

Answer 1

Endotracheal intubation in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome is primarily indicated for those exhibiting severe respiratory distress.

Step-by-step explanation:

Endotracheal intubation should be reserved for neonates with severe respiratory distress in the context of meconium aspiration syndrome. This condition can result from the newborn inhaling meconium-stained amniotic fluid at birth, which can obstruct airways, cause alveolar collapse, interfere with surfactant function, and lead to pulmonary inflammation or hypertension. These events make the neonate susceptible to severe respiratory complications, warranting intubation. An Apgar score below 7 suggests the need for medical intervention, but endotracheal intubation is not typically indicated solely based on a low Apgar score, such as scores above 8, which are generally considered normal. Low birth weight and positive blood cultures are not immediate determinants for this procedure. Rather, clinical signs of respiratory distress in a neonate with meconium aspiration syndrome are the key factors for considering intubation.