PPHN Symptoms
Symptoms of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)
The symptoms of PPHN are acute, severe, and often life-threatening, and usually appear within 12 hours after birth.
Visible Symptoms
The first sign that an infant has PPHN may come in the form of visible symptoms, including:
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Respiratory distress, which may be indicated by flaring nostrils and grunting
- Bluish tint to the skin (cyanosis), which may be present even if the baby is receiving extra oxygen to assist breathing
- Lethargy
- Sweating
Physical Examination
Upon physical examination, the doctor may note additional symptoms, such as:
- Heart murmur-an extra or unusual sound heard when listening to the heartbeat
- Low oxygen levels in the blood, even though the baby is receiving extra oxygen
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Weak pulse
- Swelling in the hands or feet
- An enlarged liver
In order to diagnose PPHN with certainty, however, the doctor must conduct a more in-depth examination to rule out other possible reasons for the symptoms.
Learn about how PPHN occurs.
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