Context: Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) is a serious neonatal illness, with significant morbidity and mortality. Limited data are available about PPHN in our set up and thus this study was done. Aims: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of PPHN in ventilated term neonates. Settings and Design: Prospective observational study conducted at NICU, JSS medical hospital, Mysuru from January 2015 to January 2016. Methods and Material: All ventilated term babies were diagnosed PPHN, provided they had right to left or bidirectional hemodynamic shunting at the ductus arteriosus or at patent foramen ovale along with tricuspid regurgitation jet >35 mm of Hg on echocardiography. The demographic, maternal, antenatal, natal and postnatal data were recorded on a predesigned proforma. Statistical analysis used: Student T test and Chi square were used to find the association between qualitative variables. Results: Out of 72 ventilated babies enrolled, 48 (66.7%) babies developed PPHN. Meconium aspiration syndrome, birth asphyxia, septicemia, polycythemia, metabolic acidosis, cesarean section, maternal gestational diabetes mellitus were associated with an elevated risk for PPHN. Conclusions: PPHN is a serious condition frequently encountered in ventilated term neonates . The prevalence of PPHN can be reduced by providing good antenatal care, regular follow up of high risk pregnancy, efficient resuscitative measures at the time of birth.

Keywords: Persistent pulmonary hypertension; Neonates; Risk factors.