PPHN

PPHN refers to Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn. This is also referred to as Persistent Fetal Circulation. This condition affects newborns who have met with some complications during the pregnancy.

The condition’s signs and symptoms include:

• Rapid Breathing
• Rapid Heart Rate
• Cyanosis (Baby’s Skin has Bluish Tint)
• Low Oxygen Levels
• Heart Murmurs (Baby has Abnormal or Extra Heart Beat Sounds)

Causes of PPHN can include the use or misuse of certain medications, including:

• Mother Used Prozac during Pregnancy
• Mother Used Zoloft during Pregnancy
• Mother Used Paxil during Pregnancy
• Mother Used Celexa during Pregnancy
• Mother Used Anti-Depressants during Pregnancy

Accurate medical diagnosis of PPHN will utilize one or several of the following tests or methods of diagnosis:

• Pulse Oximetry (Measuring Oxygen in the Blood)
• Lumbar Puncture or Spinal Tap
• ABG/Arterial Blood Gas (Tests how Well Oxygen is Being Delivered to Body)
• Ultrasound of Head (Identifies Possible Bleeding of the Brain)
• Serum Electrolyte Tests (Evaluating the Blood’s Mineral Balance)
• CBC/Complete Blood Count
• Echocardiogram (Ultrasound of Heart)
• Chest X-Rays

There are actually several different types of PPHN. These different types include:

• Normal vascular anatomy with functional vasoconstriction: Can be caused by hypoxia, meconium aspiration or respiratory distress syndrome
• Decreased size of pulmonary vascular bed: Can be caused by space-occupying lesions such as pleural effusions and diaphragmatic hernia
• Decreased diameter of pulmonary vessels with hypertrophy of vessel walls: Can be caused by post term pregnancy, placental insufficiency or by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use by mother
• Functional obstruction of pulmonary blood flow: Can be caused by polycythemia or by hyperfibrinogenemia

Treatment for PPHN will typically involve one of a few different therapy regiments. These most commonly include one or both of the following:

• Mechanical Ventilation
• Oxygen Therapy

Fortunately, PPHN is quite often treatable and reversible.