The presence of meconium in the airway can lead to atelectasis, airway obstruction, pneumothorax, inflammation and surfactant inactivation. We sought to investigate if infants who required intubation and mechanical ventilation for meconium aspiration might improve their respiratory status with surfactant treatment (Survanta, Ross). Methods: Infant admitted to the NICU who required intubation and mechanical ventilation for meconium aspiration were treated with survanta (4cc/kg). Time of treatment and subsequent doses was at the discretion of the Attending Neonatologist. Age at diagnosis of respiratory compromise, oxygenation index, age at treatment of survanta and age of extubation were documented. Results:

Conclusions: Infants with meconium aspiration who required intubation respond to survanta treatment with improvement in their oxygenation index. None of the infants required ECMO or Nitric Oxide treatment. Time to diagnosis and treatment appeared to influence time of extubation. Further studies are necessary to determine optimal time of Survanta treatment in this disorder. Table

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