Objective: To determine efficacy of dexamethasone in treatment of meconium aspiration syndrome.

Study design: Randomized control trial. Place and duration: Services hospital, Neonatal unit, Lahore. During time span of 1st January to 30th June 2021.

Material and methods Total 100 neonates were randomly divided in two groups. Group A (n=50) was treated with dexamethasone (Cases) and Group B (n=50) served as control. Dexamethasone was given in dose of 0.2mg/kg, 12 hourly for 7 days after confirmation of diagnosis. Infants present in clinical trial were evaluated by ventilation duration (invasive and non-invasive), oxygen therapy and hospital stay.

Data was analyzed in statistical analysis SPSS version 23. Means and Standard deviation were calculated for duration of non-invasive and invasive ventilation, hospital stay and oxygen therapy. Independent sample T test was applied and value < 0.05 was taken as significant. Whereas frequency and percentages were taken for gender, gestation, mode of delivery and outcome of MAS and Chi-square test was applied, and p value < 0.05 was taken as significant.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Term and Post-Term babies who met the operational definition of MAS (inborn)
2. Presenting within 24 hours of life

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Preterm babies or babies with congenital malformations
2. Preterm babies or babies with dysmorphism
3. Preterm babies or babies with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy