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Severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn in a setting where limited resources exclude the use of inhaled nitric oxide: successful treatment with sildenafil

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Abstract

We present the case of a full term neonate with severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) after birth asphyxia cared for at the St. Elizabeth Hospital in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. Although the child was ventilated with high pressures and was given high doses of cardiovascular pressors, the arterial oxygen levels remained low with an alveolar-arterial O2 gradient of 651 mmHg. As a last resort, sildenafil (1.5 mg/kg) was given via a nasogastric tube. This resulted in an immediate and sustained elevation of arterial oxygenation and subsequent complete recovery. After administration of sildenafil there was a transient hypotension which was corrected by a single bolus of saline. Conclusion:We discuss the current treatment modalities of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and the potential use of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors such as sildenafil in a situation where the standard of practice with inhaled nitric oxide and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is not available.

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Abbreviations

ECMO :

extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

iNO :

inhaled nitric oxide

PDE :

phosphodiesterase

PPHN :

persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Prof. R. M. F. Berger (Beatrix Children’s Hospital/University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands) and Prof. Rashmin C. Savani (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, USA) for their advice and critical review of the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Delfzicht Ziekenhuis, Jachtlaan 50, 9934 JD , Delfzijl, The Netherlands

    Amadu E. Juliana

  2. St. Elizabeth Hospital, Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles

    Filomena C. B. Abbad

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  1. Amadu E. Juliana
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  2. Filomena C. B. Abbad
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Correspondence to Amadu E. Juliana.

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Juliana, A.E., Abbad, F.C.B. Severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn in a setting where limited resources exclude the use of inhaled nitric oxide: successful treatment with sildenafil. Eur J Pediatr 164, 626–629 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-005-1724-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-005-1724-x

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