Appropriate Management of the Nonvigorous Meconium-Stained Newborn

Abstract

Before 2015, major changes in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) recommendations not supporting previously endorsed antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum interventions to prevent meconium aspiration syndrome were based on adequately powered multicenter randomized controlled trials. The 2015 and 2020 American Heart Association guidelines and 7th and 8th edition of NRP suggest not performing routine intubation and tracheal suctioning of nonvigorous meconium-stained newborns. However, this was given as a weak recommendation with low-certainty evidence. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence and explore the question of appropriate delivery room management for nonvigorous meconium-stained newborns.