Is it concerning to have mild PAH in a 35-week-old baby?

Question

Hello doctor,

My nephew was born prematurely at 30 weeks and 2 days gestation. He is now 35 weeks gestation and remains in the NICU, requiring oxygen support to survive. At birth, he weighed 1.31 kg and now he has increased to 2.21 kg. Diuretics has been given for the last three days. The doctors recently performed a 2D echocardiogram, which revealed mild pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). How concerning is this diagnosis? Is it treatable? If so, how long might it take to resolve? Could it lead to any long-term complications? Thank you in advance for your insights.

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Congratulations on your nephew doing good by now. He has been taken care of quite well by the neonatology team. Mild PAH (pulmonary arterial hypertension) for a premature baby is usually resolved in due time though the time frame varies as it depends on so many factors. In general, it may persist up to four to six weeks of corrected age. Also, it depends on how much surfactant he required and what kind of respiratory support (ventilation), for how long he was on as well as how much oxygen he is requiring now. He is already on diuretics which will help to bring PAH down. Weight gain is very satisfactory, that is a good sign. Hopefully, he will be soon off oxygen support and ready to be discharged. All these babies with mild PAH, if not requiring too much oxygen, do very well in the future and remain normal in their lives. Though oxygen therapy and long-term oxygen requirements do have adverse effects on the lungs, in summary, do not worry about mild PAH, it will resolve soon. Try to breastfeed as much as possible. I am sure his mother must have preserved breast milk. If he is sucking on her breast, then he should regularly taken care.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.