The Formation of Pulmonary Hyaline Membranes in the Newborn Baby

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Abstract
The presence of fibrin within hyaline membranes, previously shown by the fluorescent antibody technique, is confirmed by studies using orthodox histological methods, and these suggest that fibrin is the essential component of the membranes. Stages in the formation of membranes from fibrin-containing edema fluid and in their removal by macrophages are illustrated. It is concluded that hyaline membrane formation is due to a temporary increase in pulmonary capillary permeability; it is suggested mat this capillary change is caused by anoxia, such as may occur when there is apnea or delay in establishing respiration, and that it is in part the result of reduced aeration of the lung itself, and in part the result of a complicating disturbance of circulation in which the direction of flow through the ductus arteriosus returns to that found in the fetus, with a consequent reduction in pulmonary blood flow.