Role of meconium and hypoxia in meconium aspiration-induced lung injury in neonatal rabbits.

Background: We previously showed that meconium causes lung cell death by apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine expression. Whether this is due to meconium exposure itself, or meconium related hypoxia remains unclear.

Objectives: To elucidate the effects of meconium, saline, milk, hypoxia and hyperoxia induced lung injury.