Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) is a serious blood circulation disorder sometimes caused by a medical mistake during delivery. PPHN children are usually at risk for life-threatening complications and require immediate medical attention. If your child has been diagnosed with PPHN, you should consider hiring a birth injury attorney to help you secure the financial resources you’ll need for treatment and specialized care.
About PPHN
Babies who develop PPHN have a very unique health challenge. Basically, their circulatory system does not adapt properly after birth due to pressure in the lungs. This results in the body’s inability to extract oxygen from the air they breathe for proper use in the blood, causing oxygen-starved organs. The brain, liver, kidneys, and other vital organs are susceptible to a wide range of dysfunctional events due to the inadequate oxygen supply. Causes of PPHN include medical negligence during delivery and genetic transfer.
Effects of PPHN
PPHN is a life-threatening birth injury. As long as the pressure in the lungs remains high, blood is dangerously directed away from the heart. A PPHN child’s system is distressed due to limited blood flow to the heart and limited oxygen in the bloodstream.
Babies suffering from PPHN are at risk for a number of negative health effects, including heart failure, seizures, organ damage, respiratory failure, and brain damage. If the tissues of the body cannot get enough oxygen, organ failure and tissue death are imminent.
Prognosis for PPHN Babies
With immediate attention and proper management, infants can successfully live with PPHN. Treatment options like high frequency ventilation and nitric oxide have proven successful for countless birth injury victims. However, many children with PPHN will require constant monitoring to prevent the serious consequences of oxygen-deprivation. Babies who survive the initial threats of this condition are at risk for chronic lung disorders, seizures, developmental delays, hearing and speech disorders, and neurological impairments.
If your child has been diagnosed with PPHN and you have questions, an experienced PPHN attorney can provide comprehensive information on various aspects of the disease, including PPHN diagnosis and symptoms.
To learn more about PPHN and your legal rights, please contact the Goldwater Law Firm, PC today.
