复杂先天性心脏病患儿术后体外膜氧合支持治疗的研究

目的探讨复杂先天性心脏病患儿施行体外膜氧合(extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, ECMO)辅助支持治疗的情况。方法收集2017年1月至2020年12月于上海儿童医学中心心胸外科进行ECMO辅助支持治疗的133例复杂先天性心脏病患儿的相关资料。其中, 男76例, 女57例;年龄范围为0～18岁, ECMO辅助支持治疗时的中位年龄为4.2个月;身高为(71.33±28.53 )cm, 体重为(9.06±11.38) kg。需ECMO辅助支持治疗的复杂先天性心脏病占比为:大动脉转位占17.29%(23/133), 右心室双出口占9.77%(13/133), 肺动脉闭锁占9.02% (12/133)、瓣膜病变占8.27%(11/133)、主动脉弓中断和主动脉弓缩窄均占7.51%(10/133)。观察患儿的一般资料、诊疗情况及检查指标, 分析总结其治疗过程及预后。结果本研究患儿术中体外循环转流时间为(221.00± 161.78) min, 阻断时间为(100.31±68.09 )min, ECMO转流时间为(114.87±84.39 )h, ECMO整体撤...     

一氧化氮吸入联合高频振荡通气治疗新生儿肺动脉高压疗效分析

目的探讨一氧化氮吸入(i NO)联合高频振荡通气(HFOV)治疗新生儿持续肺动脉高压(PPHN)的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2013年12月本院新生儿重症监护病房收治的PPHN患儿临床资料,根据不同时间段治疗措施不同分为HFOV组、常频机械通气(CMV)+i NO组、HFOV+i NO组。记录并比较各组患儿治疗前、治疗2、12、24 h的吸入氧浓度(Fi O2)、氧合指数(OI)、肺动脉压力,以及呼吸机使用情况、住院时间、症状变化及转归。结果治疗2、12、24 h,HFOV+i NO组Fi O2、OI、肺动脉压力均低于CMV+i NO组和HFOV组,CMV+i NO组低于HFOV组[2 h Fi O2:(0.43±0.15)比(0.58±0.11)、(0.71±0.13),OI:(17.1±5.6)mm Hg比(20.3±6.2)mm Hg、(22.6±6.4)mm Hg,肺动脉压力:(46.2±4.6)mm Hg比(51.3±4.4)mm Hg、(58.3±3.7)mm Hg;24h Fi O2:(0.26±0.14)比(0.32±0.16)、(0.42±0.13),OI:(8.4±4.2)mm Hg比(11.6±4.6)mm Hg、(13.8±3.8)mm Hg,肺动脉压力:(15.3±4.4)mm Hg比(24.5±4.5)mm Hg、(35.6±3.6)mm Hg,P<0.05]。HFOV+i NO组机械通气时间、氧疗时间及住院时间均短于CMV+i NO组和HFOV组,CMV+i NO组短于HFOV组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);各组患儿病死率及Ⅲ度以上颅内出血发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论早期i NO联合HFOV治疗PPHN疗效显著,能迅速改善肺动脉高压患儿的氧合情况,显著缩短患儿的上机时间、氧暴露时间及住院时间,但对患儿病死率及Ⅲ度以上颅内出血发生率没有影响。     

一氧化氮吸入治疗新生儿持续肺动脉高压

目的 探讨吸入一氧化氮治疗新生儿持续肺动脉高压(persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn,PPHN)的疗效及安全性.方法 22例PPHN患儿在机械通气下,将NO气源加入呼吸机环路中,NO浓度从(15～20)×10-6开始,每4小时下降5×10-6,治疗前后动态观测患儿心率、血压、动脉血气、氧合指数变化及不良反应.结果 22例PPHN患儿吸入NO治疗48 h后肺部氧合得到改善.氧合指数由25.79±16.94降至4.97±3.74(P＜0.05);平均气道压由(13.43±1.51)cm H2O降至(9.71±1.25)cm H2O(P＜0.05);血气分析中氧分压由(50.86±21.06)mmHg上升至(128.29±41.94)mm Hg,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).20例患儿显效,2例患儿死亡.治疗过程中心率、血压无明显变化.结论 吸入一氧化氮对治疗由肺血管痉挛导致的PPHN是有效的,能改善氧合,对心血管无明显不良反应.     

体外膜肺氧合在儿科心肺功能衰竭救治中的临床应用

目的探讨体外膜肺氧合(extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO)技术在儿科心肺功能衰竭救治中的应用。方法回顾性分析2012年6月至2014年10月接受ECMO支持的心肺功能衰竭重症患儿的临床资料。结果共24例心肺功能衰竭患儿接受ECMO支持,男18例,女6例;年龄1 d~7岁;体质量3~20 kg;共有15例成功脱离ECMO,总撤概率62.5%;存活10例(42.7%),死亡14例,其中9例因无法撤离ECMO死亡,3例撤离ECMO后死于并发症,2例撤离ECMO家属放弃治疗死亡;11例(45.8%)患儿在ECMO支持期间出现并发症。结论对于难治性呼吸循环衰竭重症患儿ECMO技术可以提供有效的心肺支持。     

一氧化氮吸入疗法治疗新生儿持续肺动脉高压临床观察

使用一氧化氮(NO)吸入疗法治疗新生儿持续肺动脉高压(PPHN)。22例PPHN患儿吸入NO治疗,20ppm开始,最高40ppm,6小时后逐渐降为6ppm,持续36小时～72小时,治疗前后动态观测患儿氧合情况、肺动脉压力、血压、心率、出凝血时间、凝血酶原时间及高铁血红蛋白(MHb)变化。结果:吸入NO30分钟后肺动脉压力显著下降(t=14.2,P<0.001);OI下降(t=12.2,P<0.001);18例(81.8％)患儿有效,对全身血压、心率并无明显影响;以6ppmNO维持36小时～72小时,患儿氧合情况持续改善,停用后没有复发。低浓度、短期吸入NO既安全又能显著改善PPHN患儿的氧合情况。     

体外膜肺氧合在儿童暴发型心肌炎应用的多中心调查

目的 探讨中国大陆PICU应用体外膜肺氧合(extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO)支持儿童暴发型心肌炎治疗的效果.方法 采用问卷调查方法回顾自2006年4月中国大陆PICU首次开展ECMO 治疗以来,国内三级儿童专科医院或综合医院的PICU应用ECMO支持暴发型心肌炎的治疗情况;总结分析临床特点及预后.结果 共有3家医院的23例儿童急性暴发型心肌炎患者接受ECMO治疗,男18例,女5例;平均年龄(86.3±48.8)个月,平均体重(25.8±12.1)kg,ECMO治疗前左室射血分数(39.5±15.6)%,ECMO平均治疗时间(119.1±57.3)h.18例患儿存活出院,5例死亡.所有患儿经ECMO治疗24h后平均动脉压均有上升,从ECMO前的(60.7±23.7)mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa)升至(72.1±9.8)mmHg,并且存活者上升水平显著高于死亡者(P=0.04);血清乳酸水平从ECMO前的(6.8±5.1) mmol/L降至(2.9±2.6)mmol/L,存活者血清乳酸水平降低幅度显著大于死亡者(P<0.001).23例患儿中,成功撤离ECMO 21例,成功撤离率为91.3%;3例患儿撤离ECMO后30d内死亡;18例好转出院,整体存活率为78.3%.死亡患儿ECMO支持时间长于存活患者,但两者比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.41).所有患儿平均医疗花费(16.4±4.9)万元,存活者与死亡者比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.24).18例存活患儿中,共有15例随访,发生神经系统后遗症2例,1例颈总动脉血栓形成,1例心功能不全.结论 ECMO可为儿童急性暴发型心肌炎患者提供有效的循环支持,促进血流动力学稳定,提高存活率.     

新生儿持续性肺动脉高压治疗的临床证据

目的 评价治疗新生儿持续性肺动脉高压(PPHN)措施的有效性和安全性,为临床应用提供指导.方法 通过数据库检索出符合纳入分析条件的相关文献9篇,采用Meta分析方法 进行定性、定量综合分析.得出合并优势比(OR)及其95%可信区间.结果 目前尚无随机病例对照试验(randomized controlledtrial,RCT)对过度通气、高频通气、控制性碱血症、扩血管药物(硫酸镁、妥拉苏林、前列腺素与前列环素、米力农)肺表面活性物质、治疗PPHN的临床效果进行评价;口服西地那非可降低PPHN患儿的氧合指数(OI)(P<0.01),降低住院期间患儿的病死率(P<0.05);iNO治疗PPHN后30～60min可显著升高患儿的动脉血氧分压(P<0.00001)、减少使用体外膜肺(ECMO)(P<0.00001),长期神经系统的发育随访和对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);成本-效果分析吸入一氧化氯(iNO)治疗PPHN,每个患儿多花费1141美元,增量成本-效果比为33 234美元;ECMO治疗PPHN可减少住院期间新生儿病死率(P<0.05),患儿1岁时神经系统发育和对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 iNO可显著升高患儿的动脉血氧分压,ECMO治疗可减少患儿的病死率,但增加治疗成本;口服西地那非治疗PPHN疗效评价的随机对照实验(RCT)样本量较少,需要进一步加大样本量.对传统治疗PPHN的措施应进行设计严格、多中心、大样本的RCT.     

体外膜肺氧合成功救治创伤所致急性呼吸窘迫综合征患儿二例报道及文献复习

目的:介绍体外膜肺氧合(ECMO)治疗创伤所致急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)的经验。方法:回顾性分析湖南省儿童医院2019年4月至2019年11月间在ECMO辅助下成功救治2例创伤所致ARDS患儿的临床资料,包括2例患儿ECMO过程中的抗凝管理、流量监控、呼吸功能评定等,评估ECMO在创伤患儿中的使用效果。结果:2例患儿均为ARDS所致严重低氧血症。ECMO辅助时间分别为85 h和102 h,2例患儿在ECMO治疗期间全身使用肝素抗凝,肝素用量4-18 U/(kg·h),ACT维持在138-187 s,APTT维持在50-180 s。其中病例1在ECMO撤机前7 h停用肝素,病例2肝素一直使用到ECMO撤机时。2例患儿均未出现ECMO相关的出血以及管道系统血栓形成等并发症。患儿出院后随访2-6个月均恢复良好。结论:在常规机械通气治疗无效的情况下,ECMO可以做为严重外伤所致ARDS的辅助治疗手段,可以提高此类患儿的存活率。在ECMO辅助治疗期间,全身使用小剂量肝素抗凝是安全的。     

12例心脏病术后患儿体外膜肺的临床结果及经验

目的回顾性总结分析阜外心血管病医院12例儿童体外膜肺氧合(ECMO)支持治疗的临床结果和经验。方法2004年12月~2005年12月共实施儿童ECMO病例12例,所有患儿均使用Medtronic ECMO系统,管道、氧合器及离心泵内膜采用全肝素涂抹技术,行静脉-动脉ECMO辅助,激活凝血时间维持146~258 s,肝素用量5~20 U/(kg.h)。辅助期间平均流量在40~220 ml/(kg.min)。结果ECMO支持时间55~266 h,平均120 h;9例(75%)顺利撤离ECMO,其中6例康复出院(67%),3例术后死亡,3例不能撤离ECMO而放弃治疗;总出院率为50%(6/12)。存活出院患儿EC-MO前的动脉血乳酸水平明显低于死亡患儿(P=0.022),两组患儿体重也存在统计学差异(P=0.019)。结论ECMO支持在儿童复杂先天性心脏病术后循环呼吸衰竭的治疗中是一种有效的机械辅助方法,同时可以作为心脏移植患儿等待供体期间的过渡桥梁。手术畸形纠治满意、尽早对心肺衰竭的患儿使用ECMO支持、避免重要脏器的不可逆损伤依然是ECMO成功的关键。     

吸入一氧化氮治疗新生儿持续肺动脉高压的临床探讨

目的　 临床探讨吸入一氧化氮 (NO)治疗新生儿持续肺动脉高压 (PPHN)的疗效。 方法 　在吸入NO治疗前后动态观测患儿氧合情况、肺动脉压力、血压、心率及高铁血红蛋白 (MHb)变化。 结果 　吸入NO 3 0min后肺动脉压力显著下降 (t =14 2 ,P <0 0 0 1) ;OI下降 (t=12 2 ,P <0 0 0 1) ;2 4例 (75 % )患儿有效 ,持续 6ppmNO治疗患儿氧合情况持续改善 ,停用后未复发。 结论 　低浓度、短期吸入NO既安全又能显著改善PPHN患儿的氧合情况 ;但需重视其毒副作用     

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn with transposition of the great arteries: successful treatment with bosentan

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) occurs in 1–4% of neonates with transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum (TGA/IVS). This association is often lethal. To our knowledge, only eight survivors have been described in the literature, two of whom benefited from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We report two cases of PPHN complicating a TGA/IVS that were refractory to multiple therapies and resolved 48 hours after initiation of bosentan therapy. Bosentan, an oral dual endothelin-1 receptor antagonist, is a new treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension that was both effective and safe in these two cases of TGA/IVS with PPHN. To our knowledge, it is the first use of bosentan in newborns.     

Outcome in neonates with congenital heart disease referred for respiratory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

AIM: To evaluate the proportion of neonates referred for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support in the modern era of advanced conventional treatments for respiratory failure who actually had congenital heart disease (CHD), and to assess the impact of this diagnostic route on patient condition and outcome. METHODS: A retrospective case-note review of neonatal ECMO and cardiac admissions to a single, tertiary ECMO and cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) between March 1999 and February 2002. RESULTS: 287 symptomatic neonates presented to the ICU with previously undiagnosed cardiac or respiratory disease. Eighty-two with presumed respiratory failure were referred for ECMO, and 205 with suspected CHD were referred for cardiac evaluation. Eight (10%) ECMO referrals, all with presumed persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), were found to have CHD (transposition: 3; total anomalous pulmonary venous connection: 3; left heart obstructive lesions: 2). Mortality in this group was 50%, compared with 11% for correctly identified CHD patients (odds ratio 8.2, 95% CI 1.92, 35.4, p<0.01). For all neonates with CHD, the risk of death was increased by the presence of cardiovascular collapse and end-organ dysfunction at presentation to the ICU (p<0.01 for both). CONCLUSION: Neonates with CHD may present as severe "PPHN" via the ECMO service. Poor outcome in these patients relates to the high incidence of cardiovascular collapse and end-organ dysfunction. Early echocardiography is recommended for neonates with presumed PPHN. Neonatal ECMO support should be based in centres with cardiac surgical services.     

Inhaled nitric oxide and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) may occasionally require an invasive treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) has recently been introduced as a selective pulmonary vasodilator for treatment of PPHN. We describe a case of PPHN in which neither inhaled NO nor ECMO was effective in reversing pulmonary hypertension. The clinical course of the patient suggested a potential role of NO inhalation in predicting the outcome of ECMO treatment for PPHN.     

Surfactant phosphatidylcholine metabolism in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Because meconium directly inhibits surfactant function, we sought to determine the effect of meconium on endogenous surfactant synthesis and clearance. STUDY DESIGN: We studied surfactant phosphatidylcholine kinetics with the use of stable isotopes in 11 newborn infants with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). For comparison we studied 6 neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) on ECMO and 10 term neonates ventilated for non-pulmonary indications and not on ECMO. All patients received a 24-hour [U- 13C]glucose infusion as precursor for the palmitic acid in surfactant phosphatidylcholine. RESULTS: In the meconium group, the maximal 13C-incorporation in phosphatidylcholine (PC) was half of that in controls (0.09 +/- 0.01 vs 0.18 +/- 0.03 atom percent excess [APE], P = .027). There was a trend toward lower surfactant synthesis in the MAS group (3.3 +/- 0.7%/day) and PPHN group (2.6 +/- 0.3%/day) compared with controls 8.0 +/- 2.4%/day, P = .058). Significantly lower PC concentrations in tracheal aspirates were found in the MAS group (4.4 +/- 2.6 mg/mL) and PPHN group (3.6 +/- 2.0 mg/mL) compared with controls (12.8 +/- 2.6 mg/mL, P = .01). Endogenously synthesized surfactant had a similar half-life in all groups, ranging from 63 to 98 hours. CONCLUSION: We conclude that surfactant synthesis is disturbed and that surfactant PC concentrations are low in infants with MAS on ECMO.     

High frequency oscillatory ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

We report on 50 term and near-term neonates (birth weight > 1800 g, gestational age > 33 weeks) with severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), referred to us from January 1987 to July 1991 after failure of maximum conventional treatment. All infants had paO₂<45 mm Hg when ventilated with peak inspiratory pressure >38 cm H₂O and FiO₂=1.0, hence meeting entry criteria for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) was tried in all patients. If sufficient oxygenation could not be achieved (paO₂<40 mm Hg for at least 2 h), ECMO therapy was begun, which was the case in 25 children. Neonates responding to HFOV (n=25) were of a slightly younger gestational age (37.0 weeks vs 38.8 weeks,P<0.05), had higher Apgar scores and were less hypoxaemic before HFOV (paO₂ 36.6 mm Hg vs 28.8 mm Hg,P<0.01); during HFOV there was a significant rise in paO₂ (> 150 mm Hg;P<0.001) and a fall in pCO₂ to 21.6 mm Hg (P<0.001). Due to air leaks, which was the main complication of HFOV (52%), ECMO therapy had to be begun in two additional infants after an initial positive effect. HFOV tended to be successful in cases of primary PPHN, meconium aspiration and sepsis, but not in infants with lung hypoplasia as a result of diaphragmatic hernia or other reasons. Success or failure of HFOV could not be reliably predicted by any parameter. Mean duration of HFOV was 37.8 h vs 84.9 h of ECMO. PPHN could be overcome in 88% of the HFOV-treated and in 76% of the ECMO-treated infants; overall survival rate was 74% (predicted probability of survival using maximum conventional treatment <10%). There were no significant differences between HFOV/ECMO groups with regard to duration of ventilation following HFOV/ECMO, total time in hospital, rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neurological complications (intracranial haemorrhage, brain infarction). Among the survivors, the rate of mentally handicapped children was equal in both groups (overall 18.9%). Our analysis shows that about 50% of neonates with PPHN who fail to respond to conventional ventilatory support and maximum treatment can be treated successfully with HFOV, thus avoiding ECMO. By applying both forms of therapy, the survival rate of infants with severe PPHN can be increased from an estimated rate of <10% up to 80%.     

Successful treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn with bosentan

The sophisticated and expensive treatment modalities of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), such as nitric oxide, are limited in developing countries. Alternative (less expensive) treatments are being sought and bosentan, an oral dual endothelin-1 receptor antagonist, may be an option for the treatment of PPHN. We report our experience of using bosentan in a neonate with severe PPHN.
Conclusion:  Bosentan may be a useful adjuvant therapy in neonates with PPHN, providing significant improvement in oxygenation, and thus may be particularly useful in the treatment of PPHN in countries with limited resources.     

体外膜肺氧合术后并发颅内出血的治疗总结

目的探讨儿童体外膜肺氧合(extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO)术后颅内出血的诊断、治疗及预后。方法回顾性分析2011年1月至2018年6月复旦大学附属儿科医院ECMO病例,7年来共行ECMO治疗89例,ECMO治疗期间出现颅内出血6例(6.7%)。6例颅内出血病例中,男4例、女2例,年龄1 d至11岁;爆发型心肌炎1例,重症肺炎5例;院外ECMO置管转运2例;平均ECMO时长为126.8 h,范围为28.0~229.5 h。收集ECMO治疗过程中颅内出血患儿的临床资料,总结诊疗经过,分析婴幼儿ECMO并发颅内出血的危险因素、早期诊断、治疗。结果爆发型心肌炎2例瞳孔不等大后行CT检查、1例偏瘫后行MRI检查、2例例行B型超声检查、1例例行MRI检查后诊断颅内出血。硬膜下1例、深部脑组织1例、脑叶4例。2例经手术治疗(硬膜外1例、脑叶1例),2例保守治疗,2例家属放弃治疗后死亡。手术患儿GOS评分:硬膜外出血5分,脑叶内出血4分(偏瘫)。结论颅内出血是ECMO术后严重的出血性并发症,早期明确诊断及手术治疗可改善预后。     

国产外源性肺表面活性物质治疗新生儿重症感染性肺炎多中心前瞻性临床研究

目的 研究国产外源性肺表面活性物质（珂立苏）对新生儿重症感染性肺炎的治疗效果。方法 研究对象为来自中国5家医院的208例重症感染性肺炎新生儿,在入院时根据家长意愿给予常规治疗（对照组,81例）和珂立苏治疗+常规治疗（珂立苏组,127例）,比较两组患儿入院时对氧的依赖程度、治疗前后动脉血气分析结果及肺脏超声表现的变化、机械通气时间、住院时间、住院费用、并发症及预后等。结果 入院时珂立苏组吸入氧浓度明显高于对照组,动脉血氧分压明显低于对照组,二氧化碳分压明显高于对照组,氧合指数明显低于对照组（P < 0.01）。治疗1 h后,两组患儿动脉血气和氧合状态均得到改善,且珂立苏组改善状况显著优于对照组（P < 0.05）。补充珂立苏后4~6 h,患儿肺部实变程度显著减轻。与对照组比较,珂立苏组机械通气时间、住院时间均明显缩短,而两组患儿并发症发生率差异无统计学意义,预后均良好。结论 珂立苏治疗能显著改善新生儿重症感染性肺炎患儿的氧合状态,减轻肺实变程度,缩短患儿机械通气时间和住院时间,值得临床推广应用。     

Low-dose inhaled nitric oxide for neonates with pulmonary hypertension

Objective : Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been shown to cause selective pulmonary vasodilatation and improve ventilation-perfusion matching and may be an important therapeutic option for the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). We report our experience on the use of iNO in neonates with severe PPHN.
Methodology : Inhaled NO was administered to 10 infants with PPHN and persistent hypoxaemia (meconium aspiration syndrome, n = 9; pneumonia, n = 1) after failure of conventional therapy to improve oxygenation. With the exception of one infant, iNO was commenced at 10 ppm.
Results : After 30 min exposure to iNO, the arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂) rose from a median of 49 mmHg (6.5 kPa) [range 12-82 mmHg (1.6-10.9 kPa)] to 75 mmHg (10 kPa) [range 17-450 mmHg (2.3-60 kPa)] ( P = 0.005), while the median oxygenation index fell (pre-iNO of 37 vs post-iNO 20) ( P = 0.005) and median systemic arterial pressure rose (pre-iNO 46.5 mmHg (6.2 kPa) [range 32-63 mmHg (4.3 to 8.4 kPa vs post-iNO 54.5 mmHg (7.3 kPa) [range 36-74 kPa]) P = 0.005). All infants subsequently continued to receive iNO with the duration of exposure to iNO ranging from 12 to 168 h (median duration 100 h). Three infants died despite showing an initial beneficial response to iNO. The mean duration of intubation for survivors was 11.9 ± 2.6 days. Methaemoglobinaemia and toxic levels of nitrogen dioxide were not seen during iNO administration. Of the seven survivors, 12 month follow up in two infants and 4 month follow up in four infants showed age-appropriate neurodevelopmental skills, with one infant having very mild hearing loss.
Conclusions : Inhaled NO reduces the oxygenation index by improving the PaO₂ and decreasing ventilation pressures, and appears to be clinically useful in severely hypoxaemic infants with PPHN refractory to conventional treatment.