pediatrics
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn
Diagnosis of PPHN
Cyanosis unresponsive to oxygen therapy Echocardiogram X-ray to identify underlying disorders Diagnosis of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn should be suspected in any near-term infant with arterial hypoxemia, cyanosis, or both, especially one with a suggestive history whose oxygen saturation does not improve with administration of 100% oxygen. Diagnosis is confirmed by echocardiogram, which can confirm the presence of elevated pressures in the pulmonary artery and simultaneously can exclude congenital heart disease. Blood cultures should be done because prenatal infection is a possible cause of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn. On x-ray, lung fields may be normal or may show changes due to the underlying disorder (eg, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome , 