Immature lung with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
Clinical story
A woman went into labor on a boat trip, 29 weeks pregnant. Delivery was performed and the newborn was brought to the next maternity ward by an emergency helicopter. The child weighed 1400 grams and showed labored breathing at arrival in the hospital and respirator treatment was initiated. Despite intensive treatment, the child died from respiratory failure. At autopsy, small collapsed lungs were found.
Comments
Section taken from one of the lungs shows immature tissue with vessels filled with erythrocytes in the alveolar walls and an atelectatic appearance. Only few of the alveoli contain air, which appears as dilated, cystic areas. The alveoli contain eosinophilic fibrin, which is compressed towards the periphery of the alveoli like "hyaline membranes".
Learning goals
Recognize the tissue as immature lung tissue and understand the pathophysiology of the development of changes.