NICU
Neonates, Infant, Newborn, Baby, Preemie
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN)
What is Persistent pulmonary hypertension?
Persistent pulmonary hypertension is a condition where a newborn infant's blood bypasses the lungs. Doing so is very dangerous, because the lungs oxygenate blood to be delivered to the rest of the body. PPHN happens when infants under respiratory stress after birth revert to how the blood bypassed oxygen while in utero.
Treatment
Treatment for PPHN varies depending on the severity of the condition. Medication can be administered, and a wide range of oxygen management can be used, again, depending on how serious the PPHN is.
With help from breathing machines, oxygen can once again be delivered to the rest of the body .
See Also:
• University of Virginia Health System - PPHN
• Merck - PPHN