The transition from a fetus to a newborn is one of the most challenging physiologic adaptations occurring in human experience which is accomplished over a period of hours to days.
In some instances after birth, the newborn cannot adapt to the outside environment due to multiple reasons causing circulation conversion failure, pulmonary vascular resistance does not decline properly leading to persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).
Pulmonary hypertension is a pathological hemodynamic condition defined as an increase in pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP)≥ 35 mmHg if measured by echocardiography.
Comprehensive echocardiography is highly indicated when there is a strong clinical suspicion of PPHN to make early and proper diagnosis.
Our study rationale was to screen healthy looking babies for pulmonary arterial pressure, ductus size and closure rate to set an accepted estimate for normal physiological transition time lapse.
AIM OF THE WORK
The aim of our study was to evaluate dynamic changes in both pulmonary artery pressure and ductus arteriosus during the first 72 hours after birth. Besides, both systolic and diastolic function of the right ventricle were assessed during neonatal transition.