respiratory distress syndrome

or hyaline membrane disease

Common complication in newborns, especially after premature birth. Symptoms include very laboured breathing, bluish skin tinge, and low blood oxygen levels. Insufficient surfactant in the pulmonary alveoli raises surface tension, hampering lung expansion. The alveoli collapse (see atelectasis), and a “glassy” (hyaline) membrane develops in the alveolar ducts. Once the leading cause of death in premature infants, the syndrome is now usually treated for a few days with a mechanical ventilator (see respiratory therapy), with no aftereffects. An adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can follow lung injury.

Learn more about respiratory distress syndrome with a free trial on Britannica.com.

The term hyaline (from the Greek ὕαλος ‘glassy’) literally refers to a substance with a glass-like appearance.

In common medical histopathological usage, hyaline is a substance with a glassy, pink appearance after haematoxylin and eosin staining—most often an acellular, proteinaceous material. Hyaline cartilage is the clear, shiny ("glass-like") cartilage of articular joints.

In other scientific fields such as ichthyology and entomology, hyaline may refer to a specific type of colorless and transparent substance.

See also

• Infant respiratory distress syndrome, previously known as Hyaline Membrane Disease.

References

IMA Mycological Glossary: Hyaline
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 19th Edition. Donald Venes ed. 1997 F.A. Davis. Page 1008.wazzu