MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE LUNGS OF PREMATURE INFANTS WITH HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BASED ON GESTATIONAL AGE

Preterm birth, defined as the delivery of a fetus before the 37th week of gestation, presents significant health challenges, including respiratory complications. One of the most critical conditions affecting premature infants is hyaline membrane disease (HMD), which is characterized by the formation of hyaline membranes in the alveoli, leading to respiratory failure. The onset of HMD is particularly common in infants with very low birth weight (VLBW), and it is known to be exacerbated by prematurity. The lower the birth weight and gestational age, the higher the risk of severe forms of HMD, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality rates in neonates.