Final answer:
Meconium in amniotic fluid indicates fetal distress, often due to oxygen deprivation, and can lead to serious health risks if aspirated by the newborn. It compromises the antimicrobial properties of amniotic fluid, increasing the risk of infections. The obstetrician must promptly aspirate meconium to prevent complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Meconium in the amniotic fluid is a critical sign of fetal distress, especially fetal hypoxia, where the fetus is deprived of adequate oxygen. The presence of meconium in amniotic fluid, which typically appears greenish or yellowish, often occurs during childbirth when the amniotic sac ruptures. Since amniotic fluid is continuously swallowed and "inhaled" by the fetus, it is vital that meconium is aspirated from the newborn's airways before the first breath to prevent the risk of meconium aspiration syndrome. This syndrome can lead to serious complications such as obstructed airways, interference with lung surfactant function, pulmonary inflammation, and increased susceptibility to pulmonary infections like pneumonia.
Moreover, although meconium itself is sterile, it compromises the antibiotic properties of the amniotic fluid, heightening the risk of bacterial infections for both the newborn and the pregnant person. Infections may include neonatal sepsis and inflammation of fetal membranes. Thus, if meconium is noticed during childbirth, it triggers an immediate response where the obstetrician efficiently removes meconium from the infant's airways to mitigate these risks.