title: Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
abstract: This article attempts to define a complicated, yet not rare disease of the neonate, which presents with extreme hypoxemia due to increased pulmonary vascular resistance, resulting in diversion of the pulmonary venous blood through persistent fetal channels, namely ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale. Pathophysiology, diagnostic approach and the various modalities of management are analyzed. Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is multi-factorial, which is reflected in the management as well. These babies are extremely labile to hypoxia and should be stabilized with minimum handling. One hundred percent oxygen and ventilation are the mainstay of treatment. The role of hyperventilation, alkalinization, various non-specific vasodilators such as tolazoline, magnesium sulphate, selective vasodilators such as inhaled nitric oxide, adenosine and the role of high frequency oscillatory ventilation and extra corporeal membrane oxygenation are discussed. With the newer modalities of management, the outlook has improved with mortality of less than 20% and fewer long-term deficits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, PB-38, Al-Khod-123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. dr_pmc@hotmail.com
authors.forename: P M C
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Maria Flordeliz A
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bataclan
mesh_terms: D004452:Echocardiography; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D006612:High-Frequency Ventilation; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010547:Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents