Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is aserious condition that typically occurs in full-term or near-terminfants. Before birth, the fetus receives oxygenated blood fromthe placenta; a high pulmonary arterial pressure results inlow blood flow to the lungs and shunting of the oxygenated bloodto the systemic circulation through the foramen ovale and theductus arteriosus. PPHN occurs when pulmonary arterial pressureremains high after birth and poorly oxygenated blood continuesto be shunted to the systemic circulation. In one study involving155 full-term newborns with moderately severe PPHN, 11 died,and nearly half the survivors . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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From the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Md.
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