title: Neurodevelopmental outcome of newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Developmental disabilities have been reported in infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) treated with inhaled nitric oxide (INO) or intravenous magnesium sulphate (MgSO(4)) and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This paper reports the rate of developmental disabilities at 2 years of age in a cohort of survivors of PPHN treated with INO, MgSO(4), or both during the neonatal period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen survivors of PPHN were prospectively followed up. These infants were treated with intravenous MgSO(4) and/or INO during the neonatal period. Neurodevelopmental assessment was carried out at 2 years of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 2nd Edition by a developmental psychologist. Eleven (68.8%) infants completed the 2-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median mental developmental index (MDI) and physical developmental index scores were 85 (interquartile range, IQR = 27) and 87 (IQR = 33), respectively. Two infants (18.2%) had developmental disability (MDI scores <70).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survivors of PPHN are at risk of developmental disabilities. Early intervention programme and long-term follow-up should be integrated in the management of these infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Jaafar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rohana
authors.forename: Nem Yun
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Boo
authors.forename: Viji
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chandran
authors.forename: Rajini
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarvananthan