Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. An update.

PPHN remains a perplexing and frustrating disorder for primary care physicians and neonatologists. The diagnosis is difficult and the optimal management controversial. ECMO has become a lifesaving technological advance for infants who do not respond to conventional medical management, and neurodevelopmental outcome of infants treated with ECMO has been favorable. The most recent therapy with potential usefulness is inhaled nitric oxide which allows local vasodilator effects without unwanted systemic effects. Inhaled nitric oxide therapy for PPHN is still in the clinical trial phase and results of these trials will direct future use.