What Are the Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns? New Orleans Birth Injury Lawyer Explains

Birth injuries are always tragic. Several factors can contribute to these injuries including the mother’s medications, strain during a difficult labor, and oxygen deprivation. Often, these injuries are preventable, and medical negligence is to bl

ame.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn is a rare condition that affects approximately 1 in 500 to 700 births.According to Rockford Health, PPHN happens when a newborn’s blood circulation is similar to that of a fetus, wherein the blood flow bypasses the lungs.

Each case is unique, but common symptoms of PPHN include:

Infant looks ill after birth;

Infant’s skin appears blue (cyanosis);

Infant has a rapid heart rate;

Infant breathes rapidly;

And the infant’s blood has low oxygen levels despite receiving 100 percent oxygen.

Oxygen deprivation is a main contributor to PPHN. This is known as “asphyxia,” and it can happen due to the negligence of a health-care worker. If your child sustained a birth injury due to medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation for health-care expenses and other damages.

As a New Orleans birth injury lawyer, David A. Bowling can evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. He has more than three decades of trial experience. Call (504) 586-5200 today to schedule a consultation with The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm.

Read on to learn more about PPHN:

Is PPHN Preventable?

Although medical malpractice can contribute to PPHN, many of these cases stem from the mother’s use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy. According to the MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health, exposure to SSRIs after the 20^th week of pregnancy can increase the likelihood of an infant sustaining PPHN.

Mothers may be able to prevent PPHN by abstaining from SSRIs. Other potentially effective strategies include maintaining a healthy body mass index, abstaining from NSAIDs, and not smoking.

Treatments for PPHN

PPHN is a severe condition that requires immediate medical intervention. It can be life-threatening. Infants who survive may face cognitive problems such as learning disabilities, ADHD and autism.

When determining how to treat an infant with PPHN, doctors must consider several factors including:

The gestational age of the newborn;

The newborn’s medical history and overall health;

And the severity of the condition.

The treatment may involve:

Oxygen supplementation;

Use of a mechanical breathing machine;

Use of an endotracheal tube;

Nitric oxide to dilate blood vessels;

Medications to relax the newborn’s reflexes and muscles;

And extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

PPHN is just one of many birth injuries caused my medical malpractice. A doctor’s negligence may also cause broken bones, bruising, hemorrhage and brachial plexus damage – among other injuries.

If you or your child sustained an injury during delivery, contact The Bowling Christiansen Law Firm. David A. Bowling is a medical malpractice attorney in New Orleans who will give your case the individual attention that it deserves.

Our law Firm is AV-rated under Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system. Schedule a consultation today by calling (504) 586-5200.