Inhaled nitric oxide therapy decreases the risk of cerebral palsy in preterm infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Objective: The aim was to determine whether inhaled nitric oxide therapy improves neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants with preterm persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Methods: We conducted a historical cohort study to compare the 3-year incidence of cerebral palsy in preterm singleton infants (< 34 gestational weeks) with hypoxemic respiratory failure caused by persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn who received inhaled nitric oxide (16 patients) or 100% oxygen (15 patients) therapy. All neonates had clinical and echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension without structural heart disease.

Results: The incidence of cerebral palsy among patients treated with inhaled nitric oxide was 12.5%, whereas that among patients treated with 100% oxygen was 46.7%. After adjustment for maternal fever (> or = 38 degrees C) during delivery, birth weight, Apgar score at 5 minutes, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, and surfactant therapy, inhaled nitric oxide therapy, compared with 100% oxygen therapy, was associated with a decreased risk of cerebral palsy in preterm infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Conclusion: Inhaled nitric oxide therapy decreases the risk of cerebral palsy in preterm infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.