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Pulmonary Hypertension in Children

Rachel T Sullivan1, Eric D Austin2

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Monroe Carrell Jr Children's Hospital, Nashville, TN 37232-2578, USA.

Clinics in Chest Medicine
|July 28, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH) affects children and shares similarities with adult forms. Advances in treatment and care have significantly improved survival rates for children with PH into adulthood.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can occur at any age, including childhood.
  • Pediatric PH is often linked to early life conditions affecting pulmonary vasculature.
  • All adult PH types are observed in children, with varying prevalence by subtype.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the understanding of pediatric pulmonary hypertension.
  • To highlight the evolution of treatment and survival in pediatric PH.
  • To underscore the importance of specialized care and transition programs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pediatric pulmonary hypertension.
  • Analysis of prevalence and associations of PH subtypes in children.
  • Evaluation of therapeutic advances and care models.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric PH encompasses all adult PH types, with subtype prevalence differences.
  • Early life factors significantly contribute to pediatric pulmonary vascular disease.
  • Improved survival to adulthood is evident in pediatric PH cohorts.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric PH requires specialized, multidisciplinary care approaches.
  • Advancements in PH-specific medications and therapies enhance outcomes.
  • Successful transition programs are crucial for long-term pediatric PH patient management.

Keywords:
Developmental lung diseaseMedicationsPediatricPulmonary hypertensionWSPH classification

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