Risk factors and outcomes of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn in neonatal intensive care unit of Al-minya university hospital in egypt.
BACKGROUND
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) result from the failure of the normal fetal-to-neonatal circulatory transition is associated with substantial infant mortality and morbidity.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the possible risk factors and assess the outcome of these cases.


METHODS
Prospective study was performed enrolling all full-term and post-term newborn admitted to the NICU from January 2009 to April 2012, All neonates were subjected to complete history and physical examination, laboratory data including a complete blood count, arterial blood gases, blood glucose, serum electrolytes, and blood culture to exclude sepsis. Cases with PPHN had a continuous pulse oximeter, blood pressure and electrocardiography monitoring. Chest X-ray and echocardiogarphy were carried out to verify shunt and exclude structural congenital heart disease.


RESULTS
Out of the studied 640 infants, 32 infants (5%) developed PPHN, Meconium aspiration, birth asphyxia, hyaline membrane diseases, neonatal septicemia, post-term birth being large for gestational age, cesarean section, maternal overweight, and diabetes mellitus were associated with an elevated risk for PPHN. All neonates treated with O2, 10 neonates with Mg sulphate, 16 with oral sildenafil and 12 with mechanical ventilation. After 6 months follow-up, 12 (37.54%) improved and followed-up without sequelae, 4 (12.5%) developed some neurodevelopmental impairment, 8 (25%) died, 3 (9.3%) developed chronic lungs diseases, 2 (6.2%) developed hearing defects and another 3 (9.3%) missed follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
PPHN was found in 5% of the studied population. Meconium aspiration, birth asphyxia, neonatal septicemia, post-term were associated with an elevated risk for PPHN. As this is a unit based study, a comprehensive countrywide survey on PPHN in Egypt is recommended to determine any regional differences in disease incidence.
Department of Pediatrics, Al Minya University, Egypt.
Abdel Hakeem
AH
Abdel Mohsen
Amr Salah
AS
Amin
Mg sulphate; mechanical ventilation; persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn; risk factors; sildenafil