EFFECT OF STEROIDS ON OXYGEN DEPENDENCY IN NEONATES WITH MECONIUM ASPIRATION SYNDROME

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine effectiveness of corticosteroid therapy in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome in comparison with control. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The study was conducted in Pediatrics department of Allied/DHQ Hospital Faisalabad. DURATION OF STUDY: Six months after the approval of synopsis. RESULTS: Out of 92 cases (46 in each group) 46.67% (n=19) in Group-A and 56.67% (n=22) in Group-B were between 1-3 hours of life, 36.67% (n=16) in Group-A and 30% (n=14) in Group-B were between 4-6 hours while only 16.67% (n=11) in Group-A and 13.33% (n=10) in Group-B were between 6-8 hours of life, mean and sd was calculated as 3.78+2.26 in Group-A and 4.12+2.77 years in Group-B, 63.33% (n=29) in Group-A and 56.67% (n=26) in Group-B were male while 36.67% (n=17) in Group-A and 43.33% (n=20) in Group-B were females, oxygen therapy was significantly reduced in children administered corticosteroid therapy. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroid therapy in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome is effective in terms of oxygen therapy while comparing with symptomatic treatment only KEY WORDS: Meconium Aspiration Syndrome, Neonates, Corticosteroid Therapy, Oxygen Therapy