The birth of a baby is a moment of joy not just for the parents, but also for everyone involved in that child’s life. The feeling of the end of a cycle and the real beginning of a new life is unique and explains the happiness we feel.
Despite this, there are also worries that come with this birth, since cases of babies who need special care right after birth are not uncommon. There are cases such as pulmonary hypertension in newborns, for example. Even though it is more common than we imagine, it can truly leave parents in a state of shock.
Lung problems are a part of life for many Brazilians, especially those living in large cities, where there is a lot of pollution and lower air quality1. And even though all these problems exist, it’s common to see people undergo treatment and live completely normal lives, without major complications.
Some problems may only appear in babies, such as cases of pulmonary hypertension in newborns. Babies may suffer from this for various reasons: they may be premature or had some complication during pregnancy, such as the mother receiving high doses of aspirin during pregnancy, for example.
But to clear up all these doubts, we need to know what pulmonary hypertension is, its main causes, and what it can do to a newborn.
What is pulmonary hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension occurs when there is a narrowing of the arteries responsible for carrying blood to the lungs. Due to this narrowing, the blood pressure in the lungs rises and the organ becomes overloaded, which can be very dangerous2.
When it comes to a newborn, the situation is even more delicate, given that it’s a disease of this magnitude affecting someone right at the start of their life. Pulmonary hypertension may occur from birth, or appear in the first days of the baby’s life.
But even though this may cause worry or even panic for some mothers, it’s necessary to stay calm and follow the doctor’s instructions so that treatment for pulmonary hypertension in a newborn can proceed smoothly, ensuring the baby’s health.
Diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in newborns
The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in newborns is made by the doctor after the child is born. If a baby experiences some difficulty breathing and has very low oxygen concentrations in the blood, the doctor may already consider the possibility of pulmonary hypertension. The tests performed to confirm whether the disease is present are a chest X-ray and an echocardiogram, which will assess the baby’s pulmonary arteries.
Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension in newborns
Besides what we’ve mentioned, such as difficulty breathing and low blood oxygen levels, there are other symptoms of pulmonary hypertension in a newborn. These include:
- Bluish-colored skin;
- Rapid breathing;
- Low blood pressure.
Of course, the doctor, upon noticing these symptoms, will submit the baby to the necessary tests to confirm or rule out pulmonary hypertension.
Causes of pulmonary hypertension in newborns
There are several factors that can cause a newborn to suffer from pulmonary hypertension. The main ones are:
- Asphyxia or difficulty breathing while still in the womb;
- Drug use by the mother during pregnancy;
- Complications during birth;
- Pulmonary or heart problems in the mother, especially if present during pregnancy;
- Polycythemia, which interrupts the fetus’s blood flow.
Besides these, there are other less common causes that may lead a newborn to suffer from pulmonary hypertension, but it is important to highlight that these are the main and most frequent ones.
Treatment of pulmonary hypertension in newborns
The treatment of this disease involves, initially, placing the baby in an oxygenated environment, sometimes even with a ventilator supplying 100% oxygen. This environment and the ventilator, combined, will help the baby’s pulmonary arteries open3.
In more severe cases, it may be necessary to administer inhaled nitric oxide along with the oxygen the baby is breathing. Treatment lasts several days and usually has a full effect, eliminating the disease from the child.
Despite the scare that pulmonary hypertension in newborns can cause, it’s important to know that it can be treated and controlled fairly easily, especially when treatment is taken seriously from the start.
Lung problems in babies are not as uncommon as many people think. And contrary to what many say, they do not always leave lasting effects. But despite all this information being a relief, it is important to pay attention during pregnancy and take every precaution so that none of these treatments will be necessary afterward.
See Also: Premature Babies – Care and Special Attention
Photo: Vera Kratochvil
