Pulmonary yellow hyaline membranes in neonates

The recent increase in the occurrence of pulmonary yellow hyaline membranes correlates with improved therapy for premature infants with the respiratory distress syndrome and with their prolonged survival. We compared the clinicopathologic features in 54 cases with pulmonary yellow hyaline membranes with those in 56 cases with conventional hyaline membranes seen during the same interval at Magee-Womens Hospital. Kernicterus, intraventricular hemorrhage, intrahepatic bile stasis, pulmonary hemorrhages, and disseminated intravascular coagulation were significantly frequent in the yellow hyaline membrane group. Clinical problems of hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, jaundice, and endotracheal hemorrhages and also treatment with endotracheal intubation, ventilatory assistance, and phototherapy were much more common in the yellow hyaline membrane cases. The yellow pigment was identified as unconjugated bilirubin by histochemical and biochemical techniques. A plausible hypothesis for the pathogenesis is presented wherein intrapulmonary hemorrhages lay an important role. The frequent association of yellow membranes and kernicterus in premature infants at relatively low serum levels of bilirubin is significant.