Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association
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This case series reports an acute episode of hypoxemia and systemic hypotension in seven infants under 1 kg, taking place several hours or days after birth, after a period of stability and in the absence of significant lung disease. These patients were growth-restricted at birth and had a history of chronic fetal hypoxia and oligohydramnios. Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction were found by echocadiography. ⋯ The timing of symptoms seemed related to ductus arteriosus closure or constriction. Oxygenation and right ventricular function improvement occurred within a few days under ventilatory and inotropic support, while milrinone was administered in five cases. In conclusion, pulmonary hypertension is a rare but significant cause of hypoxemia in preterm infants, and pulmonary vasodilator therapy should be considered in the presence of right ventricular dysfunction.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Work of breathing during nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants: a comparison of bubble vs variable-flow devices.
To compare work of breathing and breathing asynchrony during bubble nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) vs variable-flow (VF)-NCPAP in premature infants. ⋯ The more labored and asynchronous breathing seen with bubble NCPAP may lead to higher failure rates over the long term than with VF-NCPAP.