Mecomium is the earliest stools passed after birth by an infant

This stool is quite different than feces that is expressed a few days after birth

Meconium is material ingested while in the uterus and includes:

      -    Mucus
      -    Lanugo
      -    Bile
      -    Amniotic fluid
      -    Intestinal cells
      -    Water
      -    and more

Presentation

      -    Black
      -    Sticky
      -    Appearance to tar
      -    Viscous
      -    Odorless

*** Feces are typically yellow in color and with plenty of odor

Normal meconium passage

Normally passage of the meconium occurs following birth, but occasionally it can be passed into the amniotic fluid prior to birth

85-90% passage within the first 24 hours of birth

8-10% passage within 48 hours

Hirschsprung’s disease is when an infant is unable to pass their meconium

Testing of meconium

Recent research points to the advantage of testing meconium for various drugs

Infants who have been exposed to large amounts of alcohol while within the uterus often will have an alcohol byproduct in their mecomium.