A review and restatement of some problems in histological interpretation of the infant lung.
Lung pathology in infants is often a complex mixture of developmental problems, pathological changes, and subsequent healing and modified growth patterns. The basic changes of hyaline membrane disease are restated, and both iatrogenic and natural sequelae reviewed. In addition to these well-known problems, some important but poorly understood lesions of the lung and tracheobronchial tree such as tracheomalacia and lung hypoplasia are discussed. A review of lesions such as fibrinoid necrosis of the vocal cords, alveolar membranes, and lymphoreticular aggregates is also presented. These lesions are often seen in association with the sudden infant death syndrome, but are of essentially unknown significance.
Fagan
D G
DG
Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Nottingham, England.
Emery
J L
JL
D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000473:pathology; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology