Treatment of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in the Newborn
The goal of treatment for PPHN is to increase the oxygen to all of your baby’s body systems. If your baby’s body doesn’t get enough oxygen, he or she may have long-term health problems.

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Treatments may include the following.

Supplemental oxygen
Your baby gets 100% oxygen through a mask, prongs in the nose, or plastic hood.

Endotracheal (ET) tube
This is the best way to give the most oxygen possible. A tube is put into your baby's windpipe (trachea). It helps him or her breathe.  

Mechanical breathing machine (ventilator)

The machine breathes for your baby.

Medicine
Some medicines treat infections, which can happen along with PPHN. Other types of medicine can help your baby’s muscles and reflexes relax. This makes your baby respond better to the breathing machine.  Other medicines can help the baby's heart keep blood pumping to the lungs.

Nitric oxide
Your baby can breathe in this gas. This helps to expand the blood vessels in your baby’s lungs.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
This procedure is done if your baby doesn’t respond to other care. With ECMO, blood from your baby's veins is pumped through an artificial lung. Then oxygen is added and carbon dioxide is removed. The blood is then returned back to your baby. This procedure is only done in certain neonatal intensive care units.