Retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder (fibrovascular proliferation) of developing retina in preterm infants. It is characterised by disorganized growth of abnormal new blood vessels (=> hemorrhage) and fibrous tissue ( => contracted scar tissue causing retinal detachment). Incidence of ROP is inversely proportional to the gestational age (general ROP screening…

Pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborns (PPHN) is characterized by postnatally persistent vasoconstriction of the pulmonary arteries, causing increased pulmonary arterial resistance. As a consequence, right-left shunting (extra-pulmonary shunts) occurs through foramen ovale apertum (FOA) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with resultant hypoxemia. Also, pulmonary arteries in neonates are more prone to vasoconstriction than in adults. There is primary (impaired development…