Efficacy of Nebulised Inhalational Steroids in Neonates With Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is an important cause of neonatal respiratory distress and remains associated with considerable morbidity despite advances in neonatal intensive care. Aspiration of meconium results in airway obstruction, surfactant inactivation, chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, and activation of inflammatory pathways, leading to impaired gas exchange and respiratory failure. Although treatment is primarily supportive, persistent pulmonary inflammation may prolong oxygen dependence and hospitalization.

Corticosteroids possess potent anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce pulmonary inflammation, capillary permeability, and pulmonary edema. Nebulised administration allows direct drug delivery to the lungs while minimizing systemic exposure. Previous clinical studies have suggested potential benefits of corticosteroid therapy in MAS, although available evidence remains limited because of small sample sizes and differences in corticosteroid preparations, doses, and treatment protocols.

This study was designed as a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in the Department of Pediatric Medicine and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. After obtaining written informed consent from parents or legal guardians, eligible neonates diagnosed with meconium aspiration syndrome were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive either nebulised inhalational steroid plus standard supportive care or nebulised normal saline placebo plus standard supportive care.

Supportive treatment included oxygen therapy, thermal regulation, fluid and nutritional management, antibiotic therapy when clinically indicated, and non-invasive or invasive respiratory support according to standard NICU practice.

The primary objective was to determine the efficacy of nebulised inhalational steroid therapy in improving clinical recovery in neonates with MAS.

Primary and secondary outcome measures included:

Treatment efficacy. Total hospital stay. Duration of NICU stay. Time to chest radiographic clearance. Time to achieve oxygen independence. Requirement for mechanical ventilation. Complications during hospitalization. In-hospital mortality.

The study hypothesis was that adjunctive nebulised inhalational steroid therapy would shorten respiratory recovery and hospitalization while improving clinical outcomes compared with placebo in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, and statistical significance was defined as a two-sided p-value of ≤0.05.

Inclusion criteria

• Neonates diagnosed with meconium aspiration syndrome.
• Term or post-term neonates.
• Admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) requiring treatment for meconium aspiration syndrome.
• Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian.

Exclusion criteria

• Major congenital anomalies.
• Congenital heart disease.
• Respiratory distress due to causes other than meconium aspiration syndrome.
• Previous corticosteroid therapy before enrollment.
• Neonates meeting any other exclusion criteria specified in the approved study protocol.