PERINATAL TRIALS REPORT

PT0535

Controlled trial of therapeutic lung lavage in meconium aspiration syndrome

Plain Language Summary:      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 halt 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 ventiliation because of MAS. The main outcome measure will be duration of respiratory support; secondary outcomes will be oxygen therapy, duration of hospitalisation, and evidence of chronic lung disease.

Trial status:                         Open to accrual

Date trial opened to accrual:    01 March 2003

Expected accrual period:         Four years

Trial Objective:

To evaluate in a randomised controlled trial the eficacy of lung lavage with dilute surfactant in ventilated infants with MAS.

Type of administration:        Multi-centre International

Prinicipal Investigator/s:     A/Professor Peter Dargaville

                                        Ph 61 3 9345 5008

                                        Email lessmas.trial@rch.org.au

Contact Person/s:             Dr Bev Copnell

                                       Ph 61 3 9345 5008

                                       Email lessmas.trial@rch.org.au

© IMPACT/PSANZ 2001