HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF PROLONGED RESPIRATOR THERAPY ON THE NEONATE LUNG

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Abstract
Pulmonary alterations of 4 premature babies treated with mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy for long duration ranged from 26 to 172 days, following respiratory distress syndrome, were studied. Loss of cilia, hyperplasia of reserve cells of bronchi and bronchioles, proliferation of elastic and collagenous fibers of alveolar ducts and saccules, and occasional hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells were usually observed. In the air spaces, emphysematous foci were intermingled with atelectatic area. Hyperplasia of II type alveolar cells and proliferation of interstitial cells were correlated with the effects of high concentrations of oxygen. Medial hypertrophy and intimal thickening of muscular type pulmonary arteries were prominent in long survivors. These pulmonary lesions may result from both mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy.