Prevalence and severity of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborns among asphyxiated neonates admitted in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital

BACKGROUND: Persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborns (PPHN) is an acute neonatal disorder with a high mortality rate despite several advances in its management. DESIGN: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: 84 asphyxiated neonates were included. All the participants underwent complete transthoracic echocardiography to assess the parameters for the diagnosis of PPHN. PATIENT: Newborns with PPHN diagnosed via echocardiography with perinatal asphyxia who were admitted to the newborn unit. INTERVENTIONS: Echocardiography was performed within 72 hours of life. The mean age at echocardiography was 38.4±0.71 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The severity of asphyxia, gestational age and place of birth (inborn), delivery at the study centre or 'out-born' and delivery at another facility or location away from the study centre were significantly associated with the development of PPHN. RESULTS: The prevalence of PPHN in the study was 52.4%. The severity of asphyxia, gestational age and place of birth (inborn), delivery at the study centre or 'out-born' and delivery at another facility or location away from the study centre were significantly associated with the development of PPHN (p