What is Pulmonary Hypertension in Babies?
By Nurse Nancy

Hypertension is a very common and often serious condition, one that millions of people around the world are presently suffering from. There are actually a few different types of hypertension that a person can suffer from, one in particular being pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a term used to describe continuous high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery.

There are two different types of pulmonary hypertension that may develop, the first being primary pulmonary arterial hypertension which is inherited or which occurs for no known reason, and secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension which is either caused by or occurs because of another condition.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Babies

Pulmonary hypertension in babies is extremely devastating because of the serious dangers that it can present. Although pulmonary hypertension in babies is not common there is the chance that it could seriously compromise the baby’s health and have long term complications.

It is important to understand how pulmonary hypertension in babies works and what is involved, especially before you attempt to treat it. In the uterus a baby’s circulation bypasses

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the lungs, and normally when a baby is born and begins to breathe air on his own the circulatory system quickly adapts to the outside world. There are some cases however in which the fetal circulatory system does not switch over as it should and as a result even though the baby is breathing, oxygen in the breathed air will not reach the bloodstream.

Signs and Symptoms Pulmonary Hypertension in Babies

It is very important to be aware of the common signs and symptoms associated with this condition, so you will be able to notice them if they ever develop in your own child. This includes rapid or irregular breathing, rapid heart rate, respiratory distress, and cyanosis.

Treatment Options

There are a few different options when it comes to the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in babies. The first step is to maximize the amount of oxygen being delivered to the baby’s lungs. This will help determine the severity of the condition and from this which particular treatment is going to be best suited.

If your child has a lung problem related to this condition for instance then his breathing rate may be set at a higher than usual rate and pressure through the mechanical ventilator. Research has shown that supplying inhaled nitric oxide to babies with this condition may also be successful and works by improving blood flow to the lungs in some babies with pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension in babies can be a frightening condition, but it is important to know that there is help out there and things that can be done in order to help lower your child’s blood pressure.