Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is one of the many possible birth defects that can be life-threatening. It's usually seen after a difficult delivery in full-term or post-term babies, or in newborns who experienced problems such as birth asphyxia (the baby didn't get enough oxygen during his or her delivery).

The "pulmonary hypertension" refers to abnormally high blood pressure in the lungs' arteries, veins and capillaries. "Pulmonary" refers to the lungs and breathing.

Signs and Symptoms of PPHN

There are several signs or symptoms of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn:

• Cyanosis (baby's skin is bluish, even if he or she is getting extra oxygen)
• Extra or abnormal heart sound (heart murmur)
• Low oxygen levels - a baby with PPHN may show a low oxygen level in his or her blood, even while receiving 100 percent oxygen
• Respiratory (lung) distress, including signs such as grunting and flaring nostrils
• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
• Tachypnea (rapid breathing)

Tachypnea (rapid breathing)

The goal of treatment for PPHN, which is a very serious birth defect, is to successfully increase the oxygen levels in the baby's lungs and other organs. Ventilation (mechanically aided breathing) and other respiratory therapy methods are often used as first-line treatments for babies with PPHN. If the baby isn't getting enough oxygen, a great deal of damage to his or her organs (including the brain and lungs) is possible as complications of the persistent (long-lasting) pulmonary hypertension.

Treatment options for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn include the earliest possible administration of one or more of the following:

• Oxygen: 100 percent supplemental oxygen is administered via a mask or plastic hood.
• Assisted ventilation: A tube is inserted into the baby's windpipe, and a ventilator takes over his or her breathing; oxygen is administered.
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): This machine, similar to a heart-lung bypass machine, delivers oxygen to the brain and body as temporary support.
• High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV): When other types of ventilation aren't helping the baby enough, HFOV may be successful at improving the oxygen level in the baby's blood.
• Nitric oxide: This gas relaxes the baby's contracted lung blood vessels and improves blood flow to the lungs.

Contact a Birth Defect Lawyer

If your baby is born with PPHN, you may be eligible for compensation. To find out if you qualify, please contact our birth defect lawyers today.