Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: an autopsy study of 190 cases.

Abstract

Three hundred and one neonatal autopsies were performed during January, 1979 through December, 1981 at KEM Hospital, Bombay. Histopathological study showed pulmonary lesions as primary cause of death in 190 cases (63·1%). The first week of life appeared to be the most vulnerable for the neonates as 51·1 per cent of deaths occurred within this period. Of these hyaline membrane disease (HMD) is the most common cause of death followed by aspiration, massive intrapulmonary hemorrhage, pneumonia, and micro abscesses in the lungs with septicemia.