Anemia of Prematurity - Portal Neonatal

• BP in newborns depends on a variety of factors, including gestational age, postnatal age,
and birth weight. Hypertension can be observed in a variety of situations in the modern
NICU and is especially common in infants who have undergone umbilical arterial
catheterization. A careful diagnostic evaluation should lead to determination of the
underlying cause of hypertension in most infants. Tailor treatment decisions, which may
include intravenous therapy, oral therapy, or both, to the severity of the hypertension.
Hypertension resolves in most infants over time, although a small number of infants may
have persistent BP elevation throughout childhood.
Patient Education: Educate the parents of infants who develop hypertension requiring drug
therapy about the expected effects and side effects of their infant's antihypertensive medications. In
addition, arrange home BP monitoring equipment and educate the parents in its use prior to the
infant's discharge from the NICU. Parents must monitor the BP of all infants discharged on
antihypertensive medications on a regular basis (ie, usually daily); parents should call the physician
if the infant's BP exceeds or falls below the target range.
MISCELLANEOUS Section 9 of 10
Medical/Legal Pitfalls: Failure to diagnose or treat neonatal hypertension; major concern would be
missing an underlying cause of hypertension such as renal disease that might require specific
therapy.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Section 10 of 10
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