Dx, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension

<p>Infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid and those who have perinatal depression are at increased risk for PPHN. PPHN also is more likely in infants with a history of bacterial infection, and poor intrauterine growth and nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns, suggesting poor placental function and chronic fetal hypoxemia. Although the presence of respiratory distress and precipitating factor(s) are clinical findings that help distinguish PPHN from structural cyanotic heart disease in term infants with severe cyanosis, the diagnosis should be confirmed by echocardiography.</p>