SURFACTANT THERAPY IN MECONIUM ASPIRATION SYNDROME AND ITS OUTCOME IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Aims: To study the role of surfactant therapy in meconium aspiration syndrome and its outcome in tertiary care hospital. Objectives: To evaluate the efcacy of surfactant in the treatment of term and near term infants with meconium aspiration syndrome and their outcome in terms of duration and outcome of ventilation, duration of oxygen requirement,complications associated with meconium aspiration syndrome. Material and methods: 64 neonates admitted in NICU, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam with symptoms of MAS were enrolled in the study, of them 32 were given surfactant and were taken as cases,32 were not given surfactant and enrolled as controls. Data on APGAR, need for resuscitation, baby weight, gestational age and laboratory prole were recorded. Those babies with downe's score >7 were given high dose(4ml/kg) of surfactant and were followed up. Results: There was a rapid fall in oxygenation index in 24hrs after administration of surfactant and improvement in PaO2/PAO2. In surfactant group mean duration of ventilation, oxygen supplementation after extubation and length of hospital stay were all signicantly low as compared to control groups. Conclusion: Surfactant administration improved PaO2/PAO2 signicantly in comparison to the control group with in 24 hours after delivery, indicating that surfactant aids in improving gaseous exchange at the alveolar capillary barrier in lungs.