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Prozac®
Paxil®
Zoloft®
Celexa®
Cipralex®
Luvox®
Remeron®
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What is Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN)?
While a baby develops in utero (in the womb), the mother provides oxygen-rich blood to the baby through the umbilical cord. However, at birth, this supply of oxygen-rich blood is no longer available. Consequently, when a baby is first born, it must have the ability to oxygenate its blood. To accomplish this, the infant’s pulmonary arteries (blood vessels in the lungs) must dilate (open) so that oxygen can pass from the lung into the blood stream. If the infant’s pulmonary arteries fail to dilate and remain constricted (closed), the baby is unable to oxygenate his/her blood.
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) is a serious pulmonary (respiratory) disorder in which an infant’s ability to supply oxygen-rich blood to the body is impaired. When a newborn suffers from Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN), the pulmonary arteries (blood vessels in the lungs) fail to fully open, i.e. these arteries remain constricted. Because of this, the newborn is unable to oxygenate his/her blood. As a result, the infant cannot provide an adequate supply of oxygen-rich blood to his/her tissues and organs. Without an adequate supply of oxygen-rich blood, the infant can suffer serious complications.
For an illustration and explanation of Fetal Circulation, click HERE.
Treatment of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension (PPHN) includes any of the following, administered alone or in combination with one another:
- administration of oxygen to increase the supply of oxygen-rich blood
- administration of vasodilators to dilate (open) the pulmonary arteries
- administration of sodium bicarbonate to adjust blood levels
- administration of medication to increase blood pressure
- administration of nitric oxide to relax the pulmonary arteries
- use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).
If you or someone you know was taking Paxil®, Prozac®, Zoloft® or another anti-depressant and gave birth to a baby who suffered from respiratory distress or a respiratory disorder, please click HERE to find out more about your or her legal rights.
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