Of note is that the underlying parenchyma is mature, unlike the lung in hyaline membrane disease. 2223 Meconium aspiration with squames, lung, high power. Meconium on hematoxylin and eosin stain is a densely eosinophilic, amorphous material with flecks of gold which represent the meconium pigment. The skinny eosinophilic profiles marked by the arrow are squames, which are desquamated, anucleate surface epithelial cells from the fetus' skin that accumulate in the amniotic fluid during the third trimester. The squames are good markers of amniotic fluid.
Inflammation is generally unimpressive in uncomplicated meconium aspiration syndrome.
The presence of numerous neutrophils in the alveoli suggest superimposed bacterial pneumonia. 3524 Meconium aspiration, x-ray. Rapid clinical deterioration may herald the development of a pneumothorax. Birth anoxia, brain .This image shows the brain some time after a severe case of perinatal asphyxia. If necrosis has been extensive, cystic lesions may develop.