Evaluation of lung lavage in meconium aspiration syndrome

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a complex disease of the newborn lung that can cause life-threatening respiratory distress very soon after birth. Current management consists mainly of providing supportive care, rather than removing meconium from the lung to hault or slow disease progression. This multicentre randomised controlled trial will test whether therapeutic lung lavage, using a dilute surfactant preparation, improves outcomes in infants with severe MAS. The study will include a total of 66 newborn infants, who are receiving mechanical ventilation because of MAS. The main outcome measure will be duration of respiratory support; secondary outcomes will be duration of oxygen therpay; duration of hospitalisation, and evidence of chronic lung disease.