Now what does this all mean? PPHN occurs when a newborn's circulation system does not adapt to breathing outside the womb. While a fetus is in the womb, it gets its oxygen from its mother's placenta through the umbilical cords, so the lungs need little blood supply. There is high blood pressure in the lungs, so blood in the pulmonary artery is sent away from the lungs to the other organs through a fetal blood vessel, called the ductus arteriosus.
After a child is born and takes its first breaths, the blood pressure in their lungs falls and there is an increased blood flow to the lungs, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. Soon after the blood is then returned to the heart and pumped back out to the body. The ductus arteriosus constricts and permanently closes in the first day of life.However, in babies with PPHN, the pressure in the lungs remains high and the ductus arterious remains open, allowing blood to be directed away from the lungs.
The first step in PPHN treatment is to maximize the amount of oxygen delivered to the baby's lungs (and, in turn, to the blood), so 100% oxygen will be given through a tube inserted directly into the baby's trachea (windpipe). The oxygen is administered by a mechanical ventilator, which does the work of breathing for the baby. The PPHN treatment would be given in conjunction with other treatments for the illnesses that may have contributed to the initial development of PPHN (such as low blood sugar, pneumonia, or other infections).
PPHN is a life-threatening heart condition for newborns. Studies have shown that PPHN is also a possible Paxil birth defect. If you would like to start using Paxil for your signs and symptoms of depression, consult with your doctor first.
