The relationship of thrombocytopenia to the onset of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn in the meconium aspiration syndrome
Horgan, M.J.; Carrasco, N.J.; Risemberg, H.
New York State Journal of Medicine 85(6): 245-247
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-7628 PMID: 3860753 Document Number: 254760
A prospective study was performed of 48 fullterm infants who were at high risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) to define an association between PPHN and thrombocytopenia. Twenty-seven infants had meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), 4 had diaphragmatic hemias, 16 had asphyxia as the primary diagnosis, and 1 infant had respiratory distress syndrome. Six of the 27 infants with MAS developed PPHN. The only infants with PPHN and thrombocytopenia were those with MAS (5 out of 6). Between 12 and 24 h of age, the infants with MAS, PPHN, and thrombocytopenia had abnormal platelet counts. No significant differences among the infants could be detected in Apgar scores, gestational age, birth weight, maternal medication use, or in the patient's coagulation profile. More than 90% of the infants in whom PPHN developed were boys. Male infants with MAS and thrombocytopenia are at especially high risk for the development of PPHN.