Seizures and infarction in neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension

Seizures and cerebral infarction were observed in 10 near-term (greater than 36 weeks gestation) and term infants who had experienced moderate to severe peripartum asphyxia which resulted in persistent pulmonary hypertension. No patient received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Eight were outborn. Five patients were diagnosed initially with seizures during electroencephalography; electrical status epilepticus was demonstrated in five patients. The location of electrical seizures corresponded to the area of infarction in seven patients; the two remaining patients had white matter infarction. Prompt recognition of seizures and infarction in patients with persistent pulmonary hypertension is essential because of the higher probability of later neurodevelopmental difficulties.