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Before birth, the fetal monitor may show a slow heart rate. At birth, meconium can be seen in the amniotic fluid. The infant may have a low Apgar score.
The most accurate test to check for possible meconium aspiration involves looking for meconium staining on the vocal cords. This is done in the delivery room using a device called a laryngoscope.
The health care team will listening to the infant's chest with a stethoscope and may hear abnormal breath sounds, especially coarse, crackly sounds.
A blood gas analysis shows low blood acidity, decreased oxygen, and increased carbon dioxide.
A chest x-ray may show patchy or streaky areas on lungs.
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