RARE DISEASE
Meconium aspiration syndrome
Meconium aspiration syndrome
Meconium aspiration syndrome
Drug discovery
3
drugs
With orphan designations
Overview
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) is a respiratory disorder in neonates caused by inhalation of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, leading to airway obstruction, surfactant inactivation, and chemical pneumonitis. It primarily affects term/post-term infants, often triggered by fetal distress. Complications include hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), and pneumonia. Diagnosis relies on clinical signs (e.g., tachypnea, cyanosis) and chest X-ray findings [1][3][5][6].
Categories: rare respiratory diseases
Research Papers
847 drug discovery papers about Meconium aspiration syndrome, with 2 first-in-class and 6 next-in-class emerging drug candidates forecasted to outperform the average preclinical success rate. Recent publications:
847 drug discovery papers about Meconium aspiration syndrome, with 2 first-in-class and 6 next-in-class emerging drug candidates forecasted to outperform the average preclinical success rate. Recent publications:
2026-07-21 | Use of Nebulized Corticosteroids Beyond Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Scoping Review of Off-Label Respiratory and Perioperative Applications
Current literature suggests the potential benefits of nebulized corticosteroids (NCs), particularly budesonide and fluticasone, in the treatment of various respiratory conditions beyond their conventional application. This review aimed to comprehensively summarize the available evidence regarding the use of NCs for medical conditions beyond their conventional role in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. This scoping review included all studies evaluating the use of NCs in children and adults for indications other than asthma and COPD. The search was limited to human studies published in English. Data were collected from the PubMed and Cochrane databases through December 2025. A narrative approach was employed to synthesize the extracted data, which are summarized and presented in tables and graphs. As this was a scoping review, formal risk of bias assessment and certainty of evidence evaluation were not performed. A predefined methodological approach was followed; however, no formal protocol registration was undertaken. A total of 302 articles were identified from various databases, of which 36 met the inclusion criteria. The included studies enrolled a total of 3,415 patients (range: 20-525) and primarily comprised randomized controlled trials, including double-blind placebo-controlled studies, prospective randomized studies, multicenter trials, pilot studies, and comparative interventional studies. Several indications beyond the conventional use of NCs in asthma/COPD were identified, including bronchiolitis, transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory complications after endotracheal intubation, croup, meconium aspiration syndrome, chronic rhinosinusitis, and viral wheezing. Overall, the available literature suggests that NCs may have therapeutic applications beyond asthma and COPD; however, the available evidence was heterogeneous with respect to indications, patient populations, study designs, and outcome measures. Further research is needed to clarify the effectiveness and safety of NCs, enabling evidence-based decision-making and improving patient-related outcomes.
2026-06-30 | Correlation of Elevated Cord Blood Nucleated RBC Count (nRBC) with Common Antenatal Risk Factors and Outcome in Term and Preterm Neonates
Introduction: Nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs) in umbilical cord blood are recognized as markers of fetal hypoxia, inflammation, and intrauterine stress. Elevated cord blood nRBC counts have been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, including low APGAR scores, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, respiratory distress, sepsis, and mortality. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association of cord blood nRBC counts with antenatal risk factors and neonatal outcomes. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from July 2025 to January 2026. A total of 130 mother -neonate’s pairs were included. Cord blood samples were collected immediately after delivery and analyzed for complete blood count and nRBC estimation using an automated hematology analyzer and peripheral smear examination. Maternal, intrapartum, and neonatal variables were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 45, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Among 130 neonates, 55 (42.3%) had elevated nRBC counts (>10/100 WBC). Elevated nRBC counts were significantly associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension (p=0.0074), maternal anemia (p=0.0134), antepartum hemorrhage (p=0.0122), thick meconium-stained liquor (p=0.0074), and multiple antenatal risk factors (p=0.0203). Neonates with elevated nRBC counts had higher rates of respiratory distress syndrome, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, meconium aspiration syndrome, abnormal APGAR scores, NICU admission, prolonged NICU stay (Spearman’s rho=0.83), and mortality. Out of 10 neonatal deaths, 9(90%) had elevated nRBC counts (p=0.0019). Conclusion: Umbilical cord blood nRBC count is a simple, inexpensive, and reliable marker of antenatal fetal stress. Elevated nRBC levels are strongly associated with neonatal morbidity, prolonged NICU stay, and mortality, making them a valuable adjunct for early risk stratification and prediction of neonatal outcomes.
2026-05-24 | [Use of inhaled nitric oxide during neonatal transport - a review of seven years of experience].
The management of newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension has critical importance. These infants require immediate on-site intensive care, which must be continued during transport until arrival at a tertiary regional center. Inhaled nitric oxide is an effective pulmonary vasodilator, and its use during transport may support the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and ensure adequate gas exchange until handover in the intensive care unit. Since March 2018, the Neonatal Transport Service of the Peter Cerny Foundation has been the only provider in Hungary to administer inhaled nitric oxide during neonatal transport. To evaluate the use of inhaled nitric oxide during definitive on-site management and neonatal transport. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from newborn infants born between March 2018 and March 2025 who were transported by the Neonatal Transport Service of the Peter Cerny Foundation and received inhaled nitric oxide therapy. 5 patients were excluded due to postnatal age over one week or postmenstrual age exceeding 46 weeks, and 3 additional patients were excluded because of incomplete ventilation data. A total of 41 cases were included in the analysis. The mean gestational age was 38 weeks (range: 28-41). The most common primary diagnosis was meconium aspiration syndrome (n = 19), followed by congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n = 7). Prior to transport, 21 infants (51%) received surfactant therapy. 8 transports originated from outside the service's primary catchment area. In 9 cases, inhaled nitric oxide therapy was initiated by the local care team; in the remaining cases, treatment was started by the neonatal transport team, in more than one-third of patients before 6 hours of life. In 24 cases (58%), infants were transported using high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. 14 newborns (43.7%) showed a response to inhaled nitric oxide, defined as at least a 20% reduction in oxygen requirement by the end of transport. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy was initiated after transport in 3 cases. The administration of inhaled nitric oxide during neonatal transport is feasible and safe, and provides effective support for the initiation and maintenance of definitive intensive care in critically ill newborns until transfer to a regional tertiary center. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(21): 824-832.
2026-04-24 | Meconium Aspiration Syndrome and the Association With Preschool Asthma.
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is an acute neonatal respiratory disorder resulting from aspiration of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, leading to airway obstruction, inflammation, and hypoxemia. Although its perinatal presentation is well described, its long-term association with asthma remains unknown. Is MAS associated with subsequent development of preschool asthma? A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a national database, which included infants born between 2010 and 2024 with continuous follow-up until 6 years of age. Each child with MAS was matched 1:4 with control participants without MAS using Mahalanobis distance matching. The primary outcome was asthma, defined by the Asthma Integrated Diagnosis Index, a specific composite measure. Secondary outcomes included individual asthma-related diagnoses and medication use. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate time to outcome, accounting for the age at which events occurred. Among 326,940 eligible children, 730 children (0.2%) had a diagnosis of MAS. After matching, MAS was associated with 64% higher proportion of asthma up to 6 years of age (95% CI, 1.29-2.06; P < .001). Other long-term respiratory morbidities, such as bronchiolitis and OSA, also were more frequent among survivors of MAS. Atopic conditions, including dermatitis, rhinitis, and food allergies, did not differ significantly between groups. Sensitivity analysis using inverse probability of treatment weighting supported these findings. Our results show that MAS is associated with increased risks of asthma and bronchiolitis in early childhood. These findings suggest that neonatal lung injury resulting from MAS may impair airway development, contributing to asthma inception.
2026-04-22 | An Audit of Morbidity and Mortality among Hospitalised Neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.
To identify trends in neonatal mortality and morbidity among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A descriptive study. Department of Paediatric Medicine, Services Institute of Medical Sciences and Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2022 to July 2023. Data were collected using a pre-designed and standardised pro forma to ensure consistency and accuracy. The study cohort was followed from the time of admission until discharge, leaving against medical advice (LAMA), or death. SPSS software (version 27.0) was utilised for statistical analysis to determine the frequency and percentage of different morbidity and mortality parameters. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. In 19 months, a total of 1,324 newborns (males, 56.95%) were admitted, and 31.26% (n = 414) died. Prematurity (29.53%, n = 391) was the most frequent reason for admission, followed by septicaemia (20.61%, n = 273), neonatal jaundice (9.89%, n = 131), birth asphyxia (8.9%, n = 118), and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS; 5.9%, n = 79). Case mortality rate was more in prematurity (51.91%, n = 203/391), followed by birth asphyxia (45.76%, n = 54/118), congenital anomalies (37.03%, n = 10/27), septicaemia (27.10%, n = 74/273), pneumonia (25%, n = 11/44), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS; 24.63%, n = 17/69), MAS (22.78%, n = 18/79), meningitis (15.30%, n = 15/98), and transient tachypnoea of neonates (TTN; 5.26%, n = 4/76). Prematurity, low birth weight, and septicaemia were the leading causes of neonatal mortality, showing a strong inverse correlation with survival. Timely care and management of term neonates and conditions such as jaundice significantly improved outcomes. Admission, Neonates, Morbidity, Mortality, NICU, Fatality.
2026-07-21 | Use of Nebulized Corticosteroids Beyond Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Scoping Review of Off-Label Respiratory and Perioperative Applications
Current literature suggests the potential benefits of nebulized corticosteroids (NCs), particularly budesonide and fluticasone, in the treatment of various respiratory conditions beyond their conventional application. This review aimed to comprehensively summarize the available evidence regarding the use of NCs for medical conditions beyond their conventional role in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. This scoping review included all studies evaluating the use of NCs in children and adults for indications other than asthma and COPD. The search was limited to human studies published in English. Data were collected from the PubMed and Cochrane databases through December 2025. A narrative approach was employed to synthesize the extracted data, which are summarized and presented in tables and graphs. As this was a scoping review, formal risk of bias assessment and certainty of evidence evaluation were not performed. A predefined methodological approach was followed; however, no formal protocol registration was undertaken. A total of 302 articles were identified from various databases, of which 36 met the inclusion criteria. The included studies enrolled a total of 3,415 patients (range: 20-525) and primarily comprised randomized controlled trials, including double-blind placebo-controlled studies, prospective randomized studies, multicenter trials, pilot studies, and comparative interventional studies. Several indications beyond the conventional use of NCs in asthma/COPD were identified, including bronchiolitis, transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory complications after endotracheal intubation, croup, meconium aspiration syndrome, chronic rhinosinusitis, and viral wheezing. Overall, the available literature suggests that NCs may have therapeutic applications beyond asthma and COPD; however, the available evidence was heterogeneous with respect to indications, patient populations, study designs, and outcome measures. Further research is needed to clarify the effectiveness and safety of NCs, enabling evidence-based decision-making and improving patient-related outcomes.
2026-06-30 | Correlation of Elevated Cord Blood Nucleated RBC Count (nRBC) with Common Antenatal Risk Factors and Outcome in Term and Preterm Neonates
Introduction: Nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs) in umbilical cord blood are recognized as markers of fetal hypoxia, inflammation, and intrauterine stress. Elevated cord blood nRBC counts have been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, including low APGAR scores, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, respiratory distress, sepsis, and mortality. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association of cord blood nRBC counts with antenatal risk factors and neonatal outcomes. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from July 2025 to January 2026. A total of 130 mother -neonate’s pairs were included. Cord blood samples were collected immediately after delivery and analyzed for complete blood count and nRBC estimation using an automated hematology analyzer and peripheral smear examination. Maternal, intrapartum, and neonatal variables were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 45, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Among 130 neonates, 55 (42.3%) had elevated nRBC counts (>10/100 WBC). Elevated nRBC counts were significantly associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension (p=0.0074), maternal anemia (p=0.0134), antepartum hemorrhage (p=0.0122), thick meconium-stained liquor (p=0.0074), and multiple antenatal risk factors (p=0.0203). Neonates with elevated nRBC counts had higher rates of respiratory distress syndrome, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, meconium aspiration syndrome, abnormal APGAR scores, NICU admission, prolonged NICU stay (Spearman’s rho=0.83), and mortality. Out of 10 neonatal deaths, 9(90%) had elevated nRBC counts (p=0.0019). Conclusion: Umbilical cord blood nRBC count is a simple, inexpensive, and reliable marker of antenatal fetal stress. Elevated nRBC levels are strongly associated with neonatal morbidity, prolonged NICU stay, and mortality, making them a valuable adjunct for early risk stratification and prediction of neonatal outcomes.
2026-05-24 | [Use of inhaled nitric oxide during neonatal transport - a review of seven years of experience].
The management of newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension has critical importance. These infants require immediate on-site intensive care, which must be continued during transport until arrival at a tertiary regional center. Inhaled nitric oxide is an effective pulmonary vasodilator, and its use during transport may support the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and ensure adequate gas exchange until handover in the intensive care unit. Since March 2018, the Neonatal Transport Service of the Peter Cerny Foundation has been the only provider in Hungary to administer inhaled nitric oxide during neonatal transport. To evaluate the use of inhaled nitric oxide during definitive on-site management and neonatal transport. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from newborn infants born between March 2018 and March 2025 who were transported by the Neonatal Transport Service of the Peter Cerny Foundation and received inhaled nitric oxide therapy. 5 patients were excluded due to postnatal age over one week or postmenstrual age exceeding 46 weeks, and 3 additional patients were excluded because of incomplete ventilation data. A total of 41 cases were included in the analysis. The mean gestational age was 38 weeks (range: 28-41). The most common primary diagnosis was meconium aspiration syndrome (n = 19), followed by congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n = 7). Prior to transport, 21 infants (51%) received surfactant therapy. 8 transports originated from outside the service's primary catchment area. In 9 cases, inhaled nitric oxide therapy was initiated by the local care team; in the remaining cases, treatment was started by the neonatal transport team, in more than one-third of patients before 6 hours of life. In 24 cases (58%), infants were transported using high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. 14 newborns (43.7%) showed a response to inhaled nitric oxide, defined as at least a 20% reduction in oxygen requirement by the end of transport. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy was initiated after transport in 3 cases. The administration of inhaled nitric oxide during neonatal transport is feasible and safe, and provides effective support for the initiation and maintenance of definitive intensive care in critically ill newborns until transfer to a regional tertiary center. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(21): 824-832.
2026-04-24 | Meconium Aspiration Syndrome and the Association With Preschool Asthma.
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is an acute neonatal respiratory disorder resulting from aspiration of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, leading to airway obstruction, inflammation, and hypoxemia. Although its perinatal presentation is well described, its long-term association with asthma remains unknown. Is MAS associated with subsequent development of preschool asthma? A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a national database, which included infants born between 2010 and 2024 with continuous follow-up until 6 years of age. Each child with MAS was matched 1:4 with control participants without MAS using Mahalanobis distance matching. The primary outcome was asthma, defined by the Asthma Integrated Diagnosis Index, a specific composite measure. Secondary outcomes included individual asthma-related diagnoses and medication use. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate time to outcome, accounting for the age at which events occurred. Among 326,940 eligible children, 730 children (0.2%) had a diagnosis of MAS. After matching, MAS was associated with 64% higher proportion of asthma up to 6 years of age (95% CI, 1.29-2.06; P < .001). Other long-term respiratory morbidities, such as bronchiolitis and OSA, also were more frequent among survivors of MAS. Atopic conditions, including dermatitis, rhinitis, and food allergies, did not differ significantly between groups. Sensitivity analysis using inverse probability of treatment weighting supported these findings. Our results show that MAS is associated with increased risks of asthma and bronchiolitis in early childhood. These findings suggest that neonatal lung injury resulting from MAS may impair airway development, contributing to asthma inception.
2026-04-22 | An Audit of Morbidity and Mortality among Hospitalised Neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.
To identify trends in neonatal mortality and morbidity among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A descriptive study. Department of Paediatric Medicine, Services Institute of Medical Sciences and Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2022 to July 2023. Data were collected using a pre-designed and standardised pro forma to ensure consistency and accuracy. The study cohort was followed from the time of admission until discharge, leaving against medical advice (LAMA), or death. SPSS software (version 27.0) was utilised for statistical analysis to determine the frequency and percentage of different morbidity and mortality parameters. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. In 19 months, a total of 1,324 newborns (males, 56.95%) were admitted, and 31.26% (n = 414) died. Prematurity (29.53%, n = 391) was the most frequent reason for admission, followed by septicaemia (20.61%, n = 273), neonatal jaundice (9.89%, n = 131), birth asphyxia (8.9%, n = 118), and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS; 5.9%, n = 79). Case mortality rate was more in prematurity (51.91%, n = 203/391), followed by birth asphyxia (45.76%, n = 54/118), congenital anomalies (37.03%, n = 10/27), septicaemia (27.10%, n = 74/273), pneumonia (25%, n = 11/44), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS; 24.63%, n = 17/69), MAS (22.78%, n = 18/79), meningitis (15.30%, n = 15/98), and transient tachypnoea of neonates (TTN; 5.26%, n = 4/76). Prematurity, low birth weight, and septicaemia were the leading causes of neonatal mortality, showing a strong inverse correlation with survival. Timely care and management of term neonates and conditions such as jaundice significantly improved outcomes. Admission, Neonates, Morbidity, Mortality, NICU, Fatality.
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Drug Discovery Landscape
3 orphan drug designations for Meconium aspiration syndrome.
3 orphan drug designations for Meconium aspiration syndrome.
Drug | Therapy type | Regulator | Orphan designation | Approval | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colfosceril palmitate, Palmitic acid, Sinapultide, Sodium 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-(phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)) [Surfaxin] | proteins | EMA | 2001-09-19 | — | [INACTIVE] Discovery Laboratories, Inc. |
Lucinactant | small molecules | FDA | 1996-07-30 | — | Windtree Therapeutics, Inc. |
Beractant | other | FDA | 1993-12-20 | — | Ross Laboratories |
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