Which of the following would most likely be observed in the lung during an autopsy of a 2 week old infant who died of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome?
Correct Answer: Hyaline membranes and collapsed alveoli
Description: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is a disease of immaturity. The immature lung is not able to produce sufficient surfactant to prevent collapse of many alveoli. Severe diffuse damage to alveoli causes precipitation of protein ("hyaline membranes") adjacent to many alveolar walls. In infants that survive, paicularly if oxygen was used for therapy, the lungs eventually become heavily fibrotic (misnamed bronchopulmonary dysplasia). Abundant neutrophils would not be seen unless the patient had also developed pneumonia. Fibrosis is a late, not early, feature of respiratory distress syndrome. The air spaces are collapsed, not enlarged, in this condition. Ref: Cunningham F.G., Leveno K.J., Bloom S.L., Hauth J.C., Rouse D.J., Spong C.Y. (2010). Chapter 29. Diseases and Injuries of the Fetus and Newborn. In F.G. Cunningham, K.J. Leveno, S.L. Bloom, J.C. Hauth, D.J. Rouse, C.Y. Spong (Eds), Williams Obstetrics, 23e.
Category:
Gynaecology & Obstetrics
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now