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Meconio - Overview

Información:

Es una sustancia espesa, pegajosa y de color negro verdoso. Es el término médico para referirse a las primeras heces del recién nacido. El meconio se compone de líquido amniótico, moco, lanugo (vello fino que cubre el cuerpo del bebé), bilis y células que se han desprendido de la piel y del tubo digestivo. Las heces del bebé normalmente cambian de meconio a deposiciones con aspecto de semillas y mostaza de color amarillo/verde en 4 a 5 días.

Durante el embarazo, el bebé flota en el líquido amniótico que llena el útero de la madre, protegiéndolo mientras crece y se desarrolla. El bebé traga líquido amniótico que contiene todos los otros componentes mencionados anteriormente. Todos los contenidos distintos al líquido amniótico en sí son filtrados hacia afuera y permanecen detrás del intestino mientras el líquido amniótico es absorbido y liberado de nuevo en el espacio uterino cuando el feto orina. Este ciclo mantiene el líquido amniótico en un estado transparente y sano durante los nueve meses del embarazo. Este proceso de reciclaje del líquido amniótico ocurre más o menos cada tres horas.

En algunos casos, el bebé expulsa heces (meconio) estando aún dentro del útero y es posible que lo aspire hacia los pulmones. Para obtener más información sobre esta afección, ver el artículo aspiración del meconio.

  • Reviewed last on: 12/2/2009
  • Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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