Putting Our Knowledge And Experience To Work
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)
Experienced Birth Injury Attorneys for PPHN Malpractice Cases in Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio
No parent expects their newborn to struggle for every breath, but persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) can make those first moments of life dangerously difficult. This serious condition occurs when a baby’s pulmonary circulation system does not adjust after birth, leading to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and reduced oxygen in the bloodstream. If your child developed persistent pulmonary hypertension due to medical negligence during birth, you may have the right to seek compensation.
At TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm, we help families in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio fight for justice when medical errors lead to life-threatening conditions like chronic pulmonary hypertension. Our attorneys understand the overwhelming emotions that come with a birth injury, and we are here to guide you through the legal process with compassion and determination.
Call (800) 698-4054 or contact us online to discuss your case with an experienced Covington or Cincinnati birth injury attorney today.
What is Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns?
Neonatal pulmonary hypertension or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a serious condition where a newborn’s lungs do not adapt to breathing in the outside world after birth. This failure to adapt prevents the normal relaxation and opening of the pulmonary vessels in the lungs, which is essential for switching from persistent fetal circulation to normal newborn circulation.
When this occurs, the baby experiences high pulmonary vascular resistance, which results in decreased pulmonary blood flow. This can cause significant stress on the baby’s heart and lungs, potentially leading to severe respiratory failure.
Normal Newborn Blood Pressure
In the womb, a baby’s circulation system is designed to bypass the lungs because the baby gets oxygen directly from the mother’s placenta through the umbilical cord. The lungs are filled with fluid, and most blood bypasses them through two shortcuts in the heart: the foramen ovale (an opening that allows blood to flow from the right to the left side of the heart) and the ductus arteriosus (a short blood vessel that diverts blood away from the lungs).
At birth, a baby’s body naturally transitions from fetal circulation to independent breathing. Once the baby takes their first breath, lung inflation occurs, the fluid clears, and the pulmonary vascular bed opens up, allowing increased pulmonary blood flow into the lungs. This transition lowers pulmonary vascular resistance and stabilizes pulmonary arterial pressure.
However, in babies with PPHN, the blood vessels in the lungs stay constricted, preventing normal oxygen saturation. The result is that vital organs and tissues do not receive adequately oxygenated blood, which is essential for healthy functioning.
How Common is Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn?
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is a rare but serious health condition that affects approximately 1 to 2 infants per 1,000 live births.
Risk factors heightening the likelihood of PPHN include maternal health issues and other conditions that affect the baby’s ability to transition smoothly to breathing outside the womb. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to managing this condition and improving outcomes for affected infants.
Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns
The signs and symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension in newborns can be severe and require immediate medical attention.
Common indicators include rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, a bluish tint to the skin (cyanosis), indicating low oxygen levels in the blood, and a rapid heart rate. Newborns may also show signs of respiratory distress syndrome, such as grunting or flaring of the nostrils, which suggests they are struggling to breathe.
Pulmonary hypertension can lead to dangerously low blood oxygen saturation and increased pulmonary arterial pressure, stressing the newborn’s heart and lungs. Medical negligence can exacerbate these symptoms if healthcare providers fail to diagnose or treat the condition promptly, overlook signs of fetal distress before or during birth, or do not adequately manage risk factors during pregnancy.
What Causes Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns?
- Birth asphyxia (lack of oxygen during delivery)
- Patent ductus arteriosus (temporary blood vessel in the heart that remains open after birth)
- Underlying parenchymal lung diseases, including surfactant deficiency or meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS)
- Small gestational age or low birth weight
- Pulmonary hypoplasia (lung hypoplasia)
- Delayed or prolonged labor
- Maternal infections, such as Group B Strep
- Certain medications taken during pregnancy, including SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
Is Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns Curable?
Pulmonary hypertension in newborns is a serious condition, but with the right care, many babies can overcome it.
Whether or not it can be fully cured often depends on the specific type and cause of the hypertension. For example, idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, where the cause is unknown, might be more challenging to treat because the specific factors contributing to the condition aren’t clear. In any case, early diagnosis and proper management are crucial.
Medical negligence can significantly affect the outcome. If doctors do not detect and start treating pulmonary hypertension early, or if they don’t follow the best steps for care, the baby’s condition may worsen, leading to more severe health issues.
Pulmonary Hypertension in Babies Survival Rate
The survival rate for babies diagnosed with PPHN has improved significantly over the years, thanks to advancements in medical technology and treatments. With timely and effective treatment, many babies recover fully and lead healthy lives.
However, the chances of recovery depend on the severity of the condition and whether other health issues are present. Babies with structural heart disease, like cyanotic congenital heart disease, may face additional challenges since these conditions can further impact pulmonary vasculature and overall ventricular function.
In severe cases, hypoxic respiratory failure can occur, meaning the baby’s body is not getting enough oxygen. When elevated pulmonary pressures remain high for too long, it can put excessive strain on the heart and lungs, making treatment more difficult.
While survival rates vary, early diagnosis and proper medical treatment can significantly improve a baby’s chances of recovery and long-term health.
Immediate Risks and Long-Term Complications of PPHN
- Immediate Risks to Newborns
- Hypoxic Ischemic brain injury
- Cardiac stress or ventricular dysfunction
- Respiratory failure requiring neonatal ECMO (Neonatal Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)
- Multi-organ damage due to severe oxygen deprivation
- Stillbirth or neonatal death if untreated or improperly managed
- Long-Term Complications
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delays and cognitive impairments
- Hearing loss or vision problems
- Chronic pulmonary disease
How To Treat Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns
Treating persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns involves a combination of therapies to improve lung function and reduce the high blood pressure in the baby’s lungs. Inhaled nitric oxide therapy is commonly used to promote smooth muscle cell relaxation in the pulmonary arteries, enhancing oxygenation and reducing blood pressure.
Pulmonary vasodilator therapy, including medications like intravenous sildenafil, helps dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow within the lungs. For cases where these treatments may not suffice, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be used as a life-saving measure. ECMO supports heart and lung function by circulating blood outside the body, oxygenating it, and returning it. It provides support while allowing the baby’s heart and lungs to rest and recover.
Mechanical ventilation is often required to maintain adequate oxygen levels in conjunction with these therapies. Regular blood tests monitor the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the baby’s blood, assessing the effectiveness of treatment. Lung recruitment strategies also increase lung volume to enhance gas exchange efficiency in the lung tissue.
When Does PPHN Become Medical Malpractice?
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn can potentially lead to a medical malpractice claim when it’s believed that a healthcare provider’s negligence directly contributed to the development of PPHN or worsened the condition.
Medical malpractice may occur if healthcare professionals fail to detect and appropriately respond to signs of fetal distress, mismanage the delivery, or do not adequately treat known risk factors during pregnancy.
For instance, if a mother’s high-risk status for conditions or infections that could lead to PPHN is ignored or improperly managed, this could be grounds for negligence. Additionally, if there is a delay in administering necessary treatments, such as inhaled nitric oxide therapy or medications that could prevent the progression of PPHN after the baby’s birth, this could also be considered malpractice.
Essentially, if the standard of care expected from medical professionals is not met, resulting in harm or a worsened condition for the newborn, it might qualify as medical malpractice. A Covington or Cincinnati labor and delivery malpractice attorney at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm can help you identify whether negligence played a role in your child’s birth injury.
Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for PPHN
As mentioned above, filing a medical malpractice lawsuit for persistent pulmonary hypertension requires demonstrating that medical negligence directly contributed to the condition or exacerbated its severity.
If you suspect that medical errors during pregnancy, delivery, or postnatal care led to your child’s persistent pulmonary hypertension, it’s important to seek legal assistance. The process starts by consulting with a law firm experienced in birth injury cases, like TLF. A Covington or Cincinnati medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand the causes of birth injuries and gather evidence that demonstrates deviations from standard medical practices.
Establishing negligence requires showing that the healthcare provider failed to provide the expected level of care, resulting in elevated systemic arterial pressure or severe respiratory distress in the newborn. A successful lawsuit can provide compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care costs, and emotional distress experienced by the family.
How Our Experienced Covington and Cincinnati Birth Injury Lawyers Can Help
If your child has been diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn due to potential medical oversight, our Covington and Cincinnati personal injury lawyers are here to help.
With years of experience handling birth injury cases involving neonatal pulmonary hypertension, our team is prepared to provide the comprehensive support you need. We carefully analyze medical records, collaborate with medical experts, and work to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable.
Our Ohio and Kentucky physician malpractice attorneys are committed to advocating for your family’s rights, aiming to secure the compensation necessary for medical treatments, long-term care, and other related expenses. We understand the emotional and financial toll a birth injury can take on a family, and we strive to make the legal process as clear and stress-free as possible.
If You Believe You Have a Birth Injury Claim for PPHN-Related Negligence, Call TLF Right Away
Medical errors can have lifelong consequences, and families deserve answers when hospital mistakes and medical negligence may have caused their child’s birth injury.
That’s why the legal team at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm is committed to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable and helping families secure the compensation needed for medical care and future support.
Understanding your legal options is the first step toward justice. Call (800) 698-4054 or contact us online for a free consultation and let us help you fight for the answers and support your family deserves.
Practice Areas
You Pay No Fees Unless We Win!
We are happy to offer a free consultation to evaluate your case. If you hire us as your legal counsel, we will represent you on a contingency-fee basis. You will pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover financial damages.