pediatrics
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn
Introduction
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is the persistence of or reversion to pulmonary arteriolar constriction, causing a severe reduction in pulmonary blood flow and right-to-left shunting at the atrial and/or ductal level. Symptoms and signs include tachypnea, retractions, and severe cyanosis or desaturation unresponsive to oxygen. Diagnosis is by history, examination, chest x-ray, and response to oxygen. Treatment includes oxygen, high-frequency ventilation, nitric oxide, and pressors and/or inotropes; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is done if other therapies fail. (See also Overview of Perinatal Respiratory Disorders .) Extensive Perinatal Physiology accompany the birth process, sometimes unmasking conditions that posed no problem during intrauterine life. For that reason, a person with Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a disorder of pulmonary vasculature that affects term or Postterm Infants . 