What is meconium?

Meconium is a crucial biological substance in newborns, specifically referring to the first feces that they expel after birth. It is typically a thick, tar-like material composed of various elements, including bile, intestinal secretions, and cells shed from the lining of the intestines. The presence of meconium is significant as it indicates that the newborn's digestive system has started functioning properly. It is usually dark green or black in color and has a distinct sticky texture.

Understanding what meconium is can help caregivers and healthcare professionals monitor a newborn's health and developmental progress in their early days of life, as the expulsion of meconium is a natural part of their transition outside the womb. The incorrect options refer to other body substances; for instance, the first urine of a newborn is known as uric acid crystals, and breast milk is the nourishing fluid produced by a mother to feed her baby. Both of these refer to different physiological processes not associated with meconium.