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Pulmonary Hypertension Causes In Children
High blood pressure in the lungs is termed pulmonary hypertension. The blood vessels in the lungs get damaged. As a result, the amount of oxygen that the lungs can transfer to the blood gets reduced. When no specific reason is found for such a condition it is termed primary pulmonary hypertension. When it is caused by some medical condition, it is termed secondary pulmonary hypertension. Children suffering from some lung or heart disease develop secondary pulmonary hypertension. It can also be in the genes. The symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting, dizzy spells, chest pain, fast heartbeat, edema or ankle swelling and bloating.
The causes of primary pulmonary hypertension are still unknown. Chromosome abnormalities lead to familial pulmonary hypertension. Various complications can lead to secondary pulmonary hypertension. Hypoxia or upper airway obstructions limiting the amount of oxygen reaching body tissues, congenital heart disease, blood clots, lung diseases like pneumonia or meconium aspiration syndrome, liver disorders and other diseases affecting the vascular system may lead to secondary pulmonary hypertension. .
Based on what is causing the disease, pulmonary hypertension is divided into five categories. Pulmonary arterial hypertension includes idiopathic, familial and associated hypertension. When no known cause can be found for the hypertension it is termed idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. When it is inherited, it is termed as familial pulmonary hypertension. When the hypertension occurs due to exposure to toxins or as the effect of some diseases, it is associated hypertension. Diseases like scleroderma, sickle cell, lung disease, HIV infection, heart disease and diet drugs like fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine can cause associated hypertension.
Pulmonary venous hypertension is the result of diseases on the left side of the heart, including mitral valve disease and pulmonary vein stenosis. When there is inadequate amount of oxygen in the blood due to certain chronic disease or exposure to high altitude, pulmonary hypertension is caused due to hypoxemia. Blood clots in the pulmonary arteries can also lead to hypertension. It can be caused by certain disorders which directly affects the pulmonary blood vessels like schistosomiasis, sarcoidosis or pulmonary capillary disease.
For diagnosing pulmonary hypertension, the doctor studies the child’s medical history and examines him or her thoroughly. Tests like chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, angiography, pulmonary function tests and cardiac catheterization are done to find out the exact cause of the disease. Currently, no such way to prevent pulmonary hypertension is known. Since the survival rate of a child increases with early treatment, it is vital to see a doctor if one sees any symptoms of hypertension in a child.
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