Status of pulmonary artery pressures on echocardiography among high-risk newborns

Background: There is a paucity of data about the outcome of newborns who have one or more risk factors for persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN) and have some degrees of pulmonary hypertension not significant enough to cause hypoxemia and desaturation to be labeled as PPHN. Objective: Status of pulmonary artery pressures in high risk newborns. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study, in which newborns up to 1 month of age having risk factors for PPHN were included and pulmonary hypertension was identified on echocardiography in neonates more than 48 h of life. Second screening was done at 6 weeks of life independent of subjects having PAH or not at the first screening. Results: Out of 400 cases, 26 patients were lost to follow-up, 2 cases left against medical advice, and 18 patients expired after first screening. Finally, a total of 354 cases came for follow-up at 6 weeks and repeat echocardiography was done in all cases. PAH was found in 54 cases on first screening, 12 neonates had reversal of shunt at the level of patent ductus arteriosus or patent foramen ovale, and only 2 cases had persistence PAH on second screening at 6 weeks. Perinatal asphyxia (43.9%), respiratory distress (31%), and meconium-stained amniotic fluid (30%) have shown a significant association with the development of PAH in these neonates. Development of PAH worsens the prognosis in newborns with asphyxia and sepsis. Conclusion: Newborns with risk factors have some degree of PAH, which can have an adverse impact on outcome.