An Experimental Model for Hyaline Membrane Disease

Abstract

The experimental reproduction of the clinical syndrome and major pathological findings of hyaline membrane disease of human newborns, including atelectasis, was achieved by bilateral cervical vagotomy in 98 newborn rabbits. Thirteen spontaneous cases were found in untreated vaginally delivered newborn rabbits of low birth weight. Comparisons with and distinctions between the diseases in the two species have been made. Further exploration of the process of development of respiratory distress and hyaline membrane disease in newborn mammals is indicated.