Confluent lymphoreticular aggregates in the bronchi of children--'mural bronchitis'.

A study of a random series of 503 lungs from children of all ages and comprising a cross-section of almost all deaths in children in Sheffield shows that 'mural bronchitis' is not seen at birth but increases progressively with post-natal age. These lesions bear no relationship to unexpected death in infancy. They are probably a normal component of children's lungs, and an indication of bronchus associated lymphoid tissue. There is a positive correlation between the presence of prominent lesions and long-standing history of respiratory symptoms.