NeoNotes
Journal Club
Andrew B. Kairalla MD, Editor
8-024 | Additional Comments | Previous
Article | Next Article | Search
| List of Articles | Submit
Comments | Index | FSN Home Page | Subscribe
Now
Nitric Oxide reduces CP risk
Tanaka Y, Hayashi T, Kitajima
H, et al. Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy Decreases the Risk of Cerebral Palsy in
Preterm Infants With Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn.
PEDIATRICS (June 2007); 119: 1159-1164.
[Full text]
[PDF]
OBJECTIVE. The aim was to determine
whether inhaled nitric oxide therapy improves neurodevelopmental
outcomes for infants with preterm persistent pulmonary hypertension
of the newborn.
METHODS. We conducted a historical cohort study to compare the 3-year incidence of cerebral palsy in preterm singleton infants (<34 gestational weeks) with hypoxemic respiratory failure caused by persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn who received inhaled nitric oxide (16 patients) or 100% oxygen (15 patients) therapy. All neonates had clinical and echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension without structural heart disease.
RESULTS. The
incidence of cerebral palsy among patients treated with inhaled
nitric oxide was 12.5%, whereas that among patients treated with 100%
oxygen was 46.7%. After adjustment for maternal fever (
38°C)
during delivery, birth weight, Apgar score at 5 minutes,
high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, and surfactant therapy,
inhaled nitric oxide therapy, compared with 100% oxygen therapy, was
associated with a decreased risk of cerebral palsy in preterm infants
with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
CONCLUSION. Inhaled nitric oxide therapy decreases the risk of cerebral palsy in preterm infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
Comments. This is the strongest evidence yet to support the use of nitric oxide for preterm babies with PPHN. ABK.
You may add your own comments to the discussion of this topic by selecting : Submit Comments.