Meaning of HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE

WordNet Dictionary
	Definition:		[n]  an acute lung disease of the newborn (especially the premature newborn); lungs cannot expand because of a wetting agent is lacking; characterized by rapid shallow breathing and cyanosis and the formation of a glassy hyaline membrane over the alveoli
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	Synonyms:		respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn
	See Also:		respiratory disease, respiratory disorder
Medical Dictionary
	Definition:		Disease of preterm infants in which immaturity of the lung causes deficiency of the naturally occuring detergent Surfactant, resulting in reduced compliance (elasticity) of the lungs and inadequate exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Biology Dictionary
	Definition:		Hyaline membrane disease is the most common cause of respiratory distress of the premature infant with incidence up to 65% at about 30 weeks of gestation. The pathology involves inadequate production of lung surfactant which decreases the surface tension of the aveoli during expiration, thus resulting in collapse of the aveoli (atelectasis).