Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
Starch accumulation in the lungs of two infants following positive ventilation
Kana Unuma1, Kazuki Harada, Teruaki Oka
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan, unumlegm@tmd.ac.jp.
Abstract:
Two infants in different nurseries were found with cardiopulmonary arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was undertaken immediately in both cases, but was unsuccessful. The cause of death in both infants was diagnosed as sudden unexpected death, probably sudden infant death syndrome, at postmortem investigations. Microscopic examination at autopsy showed the presence of starch granules in the lungs. These were probably introduced during tracheal or nasotracheal intubation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation from gloves sterilized with powdered cornstarch. In both cases cellular staining of foreign bodies was weak and there were few starch granules within macrophages. Our findings suggest that the detection of cornstarch in the lungs can be an artifact arising from surgical gloves used in resuscitation. This artifact may easily occur in infants because of their immature lungs and short respiratory tract. Non-powdered gloves should be worn instead of powdered gloves during tracheal intubation, especially in infants.
More Related Videos
06:22Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Published on: April 7, 2021
10:06Efficient Method for Imaging Murine Lungs that Preserves Spatial Dynamics of Fungal Spores in the Airways
Published on: December 13, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Breathing
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema