21. Pulminary Hypertension of Newborn
(Persistant fetal circulation)
The heart and lungs themselves are formed normally, but the lung arteries in both lungs remain narrow and constricted as they are in the womb.
As a result of this, the pressure in the lung artery remains very high and de-oxygenated blood is directed across the small flap valve between the atria and also across the duct between the arteries.
It is often difficult to differentiate this condition from structural heart problems and babies are thus often referred to Cardiac Units.
The management of this condition consists of ventilation and medicines e.g. nitric oxide, prostaglandin, to open up the lung arteries.
In others, the arteries do not open up and the child’s condition can be very critical. Use of a special heart lung machine known as ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) may be required.