IPLab:Lab 13:Hyaline Membrane Disease

Clinical Summary

This 28-hour-old white male was the product of an uncomplicated vaginal delivery by a G1 24-year-old mother whose pregnancy had also been uncomplicated. The infant was born pre-term at 36 weeks gestation and was appropriate for gestational age, weighing 2550 grams. Three hours after birth, the infant developed cyanosis and required 40% oxygen to maintain a pink color. Because of a worsening respiratory distress syndrome, the infant (1 day old) was transferred to a tertiary care hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit. Following the transfer, the respiratory distress progressed and the admitting arterial blood gases were pH 7.31, PaCO2 35, and PaO2 35. The condition of the patient continued to deteriorate despite therapy, and he became "shocky" with efforts to increase blood volume. He developed a persistent bradycardia and died about 4 hours after admission.

Autopsy Findings

The organs generally showed no abnormalities other than those of immaturity expected at this gestational age. There was moderate diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage and a small amount of blood in the pleural and pericardial cavities.

Images

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  This is a gross photograph of lung demonstrating hyaline membrane disease and atelectasis.

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  This is a low-power photomicrograph of a triangular-shaped section of lung (1) and an oblong section of liver (2). The lack of open air spaces in this neonatal lung indicates its immaturity.

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  This is a low-power photomicrograph of liver which contains dark blue-stained cells in the hepatic sinusoids. These are immature blood cell precursors and this represents extramedullary hematopoiesis of the liver.

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  This high-power photomicrograph of liver shows more clearly the immature blood cell precursors (arrows) which represent extramedullary hematopoiesis of the liver. The liver is a normal site of fetal hematopoiesis and, for this stage of gestation, extramedullary hematopoiesis of the liver is normal.

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  This low-power photomicrograph of lung demonstrates hypercellular pulmonary interstitium and small air spaces (as compared to adult lungs).

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  This is a medium-power photomicrograph showing a large bronchus with cartilage. Interstitial congestion with numerous red cells is apparent. Even at this magnification hyaline membranes (arrows) can be seen lining the alveoli.

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  This high-power photomicrograph shows an airway with adjacent lung tissue. Some alveoli have hyaline membranes (arrows). There is severe congestion of the interstitium throughout this section.

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  This medium-power photomicrograph shows the pink acellular homogeneous material lining the alveoli which comprises the hyaline membranes (arrows). The interstitium shows congestion, as in previous sections.

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  This higher-power photomicrograph shows more clearly the hyaline membranes (arrows) and the congestion in the interstitium.

Study Questions

• What causes Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), or Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD) as it is described in this case?

Most cases of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) or hyaline membrane disease are idiopathic (the cause is unknown).

Known contributory factors include:

1. over-administration of sedatives to the mother during delivery leading to respiratory depression in the infant;
2. failure of the infant's central respiratory centers due to brain injury;
3. reduced respiratory ability of the infant secondary to lung and skeletal muscle immaturity;
4. physical obstruction of ventilation caused by the aspiration of blood clot and amniotic fluid during birth, and
5. partial asphyxiation of the infant resulting from restrictive coils of umbilical cord wrapped around the infant's neck.

• What factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of this syndrome?

Deficiency of pulmonary surfactant is the basic defect in respiratory distress syndrome.

Surfactant reduces surface tension within the alveoli so that less pressure is required to hold alveoli open. Surfactant also maintains alveolar expansion by varying surface tension with alveolar size, which helps keep the alveoli open and reduces the inspiratory effort needed to expand the lung. With a deficiency of surfactant, the lungs collapse with each successive breath, so the infant must work as hard with each successive breath as it did with the first.

The problem of STIFF atelectatic lungs is compounded by the SOFT thoracic wall that is pulled in as the diaphragm descends. Progressive atelectasis and reduced lung compliance then lead to a worsening clinical course.

• What makes up the red hyaline material seen in HMD?

With a deficiency of surfactant, the alveoli collapse with each breath resulting in injury to the epithelial cells lining the alveolar wall. This injury causes a protein-rich, fibrin-rich exudate to be released into the alveolar spaces. This exudate forms the hyaline membranes.

The fibrin-hyaline membranes constitute a barrier to gas exchange, leading to carbon dioxide retention and hypoxemia. The hypoxemia itself further impairs surfactant synthesis leading to more lung damage.

Additional Resources

Reference

• eMedicine Medical Library: Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• Merck Manual: Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Journal Articles

• Clark RH, Gerstmann DR, Jobe AH, Moffitt ST, Slutsky AS, Yoder BA. Lung injury in neonates: causes, strategies for prevention, and long-term consequences. J Pediatr 2001 Oct;139(4):478-86.

Images

• PEIR Digital Library: Hyaline Membrane Disease Images
• WebPath: Pediatric-Perinatal Pathology