ABSTRACT
Since the first use in neonates in 1974, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
has been a life-saving technology for newborns with respiratory and cardiac failure.
ECMO has been used to treat a variety of cardio-respiratory problems, including meconium
aspiration syndrome (MAS), persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate (PPHN),
congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), sepsis, and cardiac anomalies. For this group
of high-mortality neonates, ECMO has produced a survival of 76% in all newborns treated.
This review article will examine the current selection criteria for ECMO, the clinical
management of neonates on ECMO and discuss the long-term outcome of neonates treated
with ECMO.
KEYWORD
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) - neonate - respiratory failure