Meconium aspiration syndrome: a role for phospholipase A[sub 2] in the pathogenesis?

The pathophysiology of neonatal meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), often resulting in severe respiratory failure, is complex and still largely unclear. Factors involved in the propagation of acute lung injury after perinatal aspiration of meconium include obstruction of the airways, ventilation/perfusion mismatch, increase of the pulmonary vascular resistance and a rapidly developing parenchymal and alveolar inflammatory reaction with associated surfactant dysfunction. Conclusion: Although the early pulmonary inflammatory response is believed to play a central pathogenetic role in the meconium-induced acute lung damage, its initiating mechanisms are still poorly defined. However, increasing evidence indicates a direct toxic effect of meconium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]