Neurodevelopmental outcome of newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension

• Published in: The Malaysian journal of medical sciences Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 58 - 62
• Main Authors: Rohana, Jaafar, Boo, Nem Yun, Chandran, Viji, Sarvananthan, Rajini
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysia 01-10-2011
• Subjects: developmental disabilities; nitric oxide; magnesium sulphate; persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn; neurology
• ISSN: 2180-4303

Developmental disabilities have been reported in infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) treated with inhaled nitric oxide (INO) or intravenous magnesium sulphate (MgSO(4)) and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This paper reports the rate of developmental disabilities at 2 years of age in a cohort of survivors of PPHN treated with INO, MgSO(4), or both during the neonatal period.
Sixteen survivors of PPHN were prospectively followed up. These infants were treated with intravenous MgSO(4) and/or INO during the neonatal period. Neurodevelopmental assessment was carried out at 2 years of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 2nd Edition by a developmental psychologist. Eleven (68.8%) infants completed the 2-year follow-up.
The median mental developmental index (MDI) and physical developmental index scores were 85 (interquartile range, IQR = 27) and 87 (IQR = 33), respectively. Two infants (18.2%) had developmental disability (MDI scores <70).
Survivors of PPHN are at risk of developmental disabilities. Early intervention programme and long-term follow-up should be integrated in the management of these infants.