Thick Meconium-stained Amniotic Fluid in Pediatrics — Case | Pediatric Respiratory | SMLE Q#16632

SMLE Question #16632

Pediatrics Pediatric Respiratory

Objective: OBJ-273

Last updated: February 2026
A 1-day-old post-term male newborn develops respiratory distress shortly after birth. Pregnancy reached 42 weeks and was complicated by decreased fetal movements. Delivery was associated with thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid. He has tachypnea with subcostal retractions and grunting; lung auscultation reveals coarse breath sounds bilaterally. Chest radiograph shows patchy, coarse, asymmetric infiltrates with areas of hyperinflation and flattened diaphragms. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Continue in practice mode

Sign in and start a focused practice session to view options, submit your answer, and read the full explanation.

Related questions