Pathology of the lung in the fetus and neonate, with particular reference to problems of growth and maturation

Abstract

The major forms of lung pathology in the perinatal period are reviewed with emphasis on disturbances of growth and maturation. Lung hypoplasia results from impairment in the physiological control of lung growth during the fetal period. It is more common than organogenetic defects which are discussed only briefly. Hyaline membrane disease is now seldom seen in a pure form due to improvements in perinatal care. However, its complications and sequelae such as interstitial emphysema, pneumothorax and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are encountered more frequently. In addition, a wide variety of pathological processes may localize to, or be expressed in, the lung of the newborn, notably asphyxial changes, persistent pulmonary hypertension, haemorrhage and infection.

Successful Management of Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation Associated with Hydrops Fetalis in a Case of Dysplastic Tricuspid Valve

“…However, it is noteworthy that the histologic features of the lungs in patients with lung hypoplasia and significant tricuspid valve disease diagnosed in utero or in the early neonatal period were normal [4], and a real reduction in the number of airway branches has been seen when the condition originates before 17 weeks' gestation [9].…”

Immunoexpression of Ki-67 in pulmonary hypoplasia

“…In the second, the lungs are poorly grown and appear immature for the gestation age (delay in development of blood-air barriers, delay in epithelial maturation, lack of elastic tissue development and low concentration of lung phospholipids). Poor maturation is especially associated with oligohydramnios-related hypoplasia [12][13][14][15][16][17].…”

Sudden neonatal death from congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation

“…Its recognition as a clinical entity was made by Ch'In and Tang in 1949 [1] and the microscopic criteria for diagnosis were defined by Kwittken and Reiner [2]. CCAM usually manifests itself in newborns as respiratory distress or in young children with a history of recurrent respiratory infections [3]. It is most commonly restricted to one lobe [4], but in some cases more than one lobe is involved [3,5].…”

“…CCAM usually manifests itself in newborns as respiratory distress or in young children with a history of recurrent respiratory infections [3]. It is most commonly restricted to one lobe [4], but in some cases more than one lobe is involved [3,5]. Nevertheless, bilateral disease is ex-tremely uncommon [3,6].…”