Low-dose inhaled nitric oxide in term and near-term infants with hypoxic respiratory failure: a Malaysian experience

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) improves oxygenation in term and near-term infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and decreases the need for treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This mode of treatment is currently being introduced in Malaysia. We report our preliminary experience using low dose inhaled nitric oxide (20 parts per million) in three newborn infants (meconium aspiration syndrome, primary PPHN and congenital diaphragmatic hernia) with severe PPHN who fulfilled criteria for ECMO with a mean oxygenation index (OI) of 40. Two of the infants showed rapid and sustained improvement in oxygenation with a reduction in oxygenation index (OI) over 24 hours. The infant with diaphragmatic hernia showed an initial improvement in OI, which was unsustained and subsequently died. All three infants did not show significant elevation of methemoglobin or nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Inhaled nitric oxide is an effective and safe treatment for severe PPHN that can be used in a developing country like Malaysia.