Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants with Respiratory Distress

Background: Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is increased pulmonary artery pressure which cause  Precapillary PH, leading to high vascular resistance, right heart overload, and failure. Aim: To assess the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants with respiratory distress in NICU using Echo- cardiography.
 
Patients and methods: This was a prospective Study Conducted at Al-Azhar Assiut University, Pediatrics Department, NICU Unit, on 52  neonates  with Respiratory Distress Syndrome( RDS)  from June 1^st , 2022, to December 31^th  , 2022.
 
Results:  Our results showed that 36 cases (69.23%) had a small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), while 9 cases (17.3%) had pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary stenosis. Normal cases accounted in 16 (30.77%). All patients received oxygen with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), with 75% requiring mechanical ventilation and endotracheal intubation. Additionally, 78.85% of the cases were treated with antibiotics (ampicillin and ceftazidime), while 21.15% received amikacin and meropenem. Dopamine and dobutamine were administered to 75% of the cases, and all patients received inhaled steroids. Sildenafil was given to 78.85%, and 88.46% received IV diuretics. Other treatments included correction of hypoglycemia and sodium bicarbonate infusion, which may contribute to improving respiratory and other conditions in these neonates.
Conclusion: PH was prevalent (17.3%) in preterm infants born at <35 weeks and presented with respiratory distress syndrome. So, Preterm birth, along with other factors, significantly contributes to the development of PH.