Pathogenesis
Hyaline membrane disease is caused by a deficiency of surfactant in the alveoli. Surfactant is a complex mixture of phospholipids, mainly lecithin, and proteins secreted by type II pneumocytes in the lung which serves to reduce surface tension of the alveoli and thus helps to prevent atelectasis.
Reference
- Whitsett JA, Weaver TE. Hydrophobic surfactant proteins in lung function and disease. N Engl J Med. 2002 Dec 26;347(26):2141-8.
Related pages
Create an account to add page annotations
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.