When your child has shortness of breath, heavy breathing, or trouble keeping up with friends, the cause is not always clear. Some children adapt to symptoms over time, which can make pediatric pulmonary hypertension harder to recognize. An early evaluation can help your family understand what is happening and what care may help.
At WMCHealth, our pediatric pulmonary hypertension team cares for children with newly diagnosed, complex, and long-term conditions. We offer advanced testing, specialized treatment, and close follow-up for children of all ages, from premature infants to adolescents. Our goal is to help your child receive the right diagnosis and the right level of care.
What Is Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension?
Pediatric pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. These vessels can become tight or narrowed, which makes it harder for blood to move through the lungs.
Over time, this pressure can strain the right side of the heart. This part of the heart pumps blood to the lungs, where blood picks up oxygen. When the heart and lungs are under strain, your child may have trouble with routine activities.
Types of Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension
- Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH): This type of pulmonary hypertension is not associated with an identified cause. In some cases, it may be linked to a genetic change that can run in families.
- Pulmonary hypertension associated with other conditions: This type develops as a result of another health issue, such as sleep apnea, liver disease, congenital heart disease, blood clots in the lungs, or lupus or scleroderma.
- Pulmonary hypertension related to prematurity and lung development: This type is typically seen in premature babies whose lungs and lung blood vessels are still developing. While some children with this type may improve over time as their lungs grow, others may require long-term treatment and monitoring.
Symptoms of Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension symptoms can be subtle, especially in children. Symptoms you may notice include:
- Fainting
- Heavy breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble climbing stairs
- Trouble running or playing
- Difficulty keeping up with friends
You may also notice other signs that suggest pulmonary hypertension may be the cause. For example, some children may slow down because they’re not able to fully catch their breath. Others may sit out during sports, playground activities, or gym class.
Asthma versus Pulmonary Hypertension
Pediatric pulmonary hypertension can sometimes be mistaken for asthma. If your child has shortness of breath without wheezing, or inhalers are not helping, your doctor may recommend heart testing.
Causes of Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension can occur on its own, without a known reason, or it may be linked to another condition, such as congenital heart disease, lung disease from prematurity, or certain inflammatory conditions. Understanding what is contributing to your child’s condition helps the care team choose the right treatment plan.
Erika Berman Rosenzweig
Pediatric Cardiology, Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Locations:
-
100 Woods Road ACP 1st Floor
Valhalla, NY 10595
WMCHealth Provider
Diagnosing Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension
Your child’s evaluation may begin with a physical exam and medical history. Common early tests may include:
- Chest X-ray: This helps doctors look at the size and shape of the heart and lungs and check for signs of lung disease or fluid buildup.
- Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound): This helps doctors look for signs of high pressure on the right side of the heart.
- Electrocardiogram (heart rhythm test): This helps doctors measure the heart’s electrical activity and look for signs of strain on the heart.
If these early tests suggest pulmonary hypertension, your child may need more specialized testing.
Additional testing may include:
- Blood work
- Lung imaging
- Genetic testing
- Exercise testing
- Perfusion scan (to look for blood clots)
Some children may also need a right heart catheterization. During this test, doctors measure the pressure in the heart and lungs and see how your child responds to certain medications.
For very small premature babies, catheterization may not always be the right first step. In these cases, our team uses close monitoring and specialized experience to guide care.
Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment
Treatment for pediatric pulmonary hypertension depends on your child’s symptoms, test results, and the cause of the condition. The goal is to lower pressure in the lung blood vessels, reduce strain on the heart, and help your child breathe and move more comfortably.
Treatment may include:
- Oxygen therapy: Helps increase oxygen levels and may support lung development in premature babies.
- Oral medicines: Help relax or widen the blood vessels in the lungs so blood can flow more easily.
- Inhaled medicines: Deliver medication directly to the lungs to help improve blood flow and breathing.
- Injectable medicines: Provide stronger medicine for children who need more advanced symptom control.
- Infusion pump therapy: Gives continuous medication to help manage more serious pulmonary hypertension.
Some children need one treatment, while others need a combination of therapies. Your child’s care team will adjust treatment over time based on symptoms, growth, activity level, and test results.
Our Approach to Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Care
When pulmonary hypertension is linked to another condition, treating that condition is an important part of care. This may include treatment for sleep apnea, lupus, scleroderma, liver disease, blood clots in the lungs, or lung disease related to prematurity.
Our team works closely with pediatric cardiology, pulmonology, rheumatology, genetics, and other specialists when needed. This coordinated approach helps support the whole child, not only the lung pressure.
Why Choose WMCHealth for Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Care
Specialized Care for Complex Cases and Second Opinions
Families often come to WMCHealth for answers after a diagnosis elsewhere or when treatment is not working as expected. Our team takes a fresh look at each child’s history, symptoms, test results, and treatment plan. This approach can be especially helpful when pulmonary hypertension is rare, unclear, or related to another condition.
We also work with local pediatricians, cardiologists, hospitals, and other care teams when families live farther away. In some cases, a child may receive specialized care at WMCHealth and have certain follow-up testing closer to home. This coordination can help families access expert care while reducing unnecessary travel when possible.
Research and Advanced Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Care
Pediatric pulmonary hypertension care continues to evolve. Our team is involved in national research efforts that study outcomes, risk factors, and care approaches for children with this condition. When pediatric clinical trials are available and appropriate, our team can help families understand whether participation may be an option.
Long-Term Support for Your Child and Family
Pediatric pulmonary hypertension can require long-term care. Our team helps families manage the medical, school, and daily-life needs that can come with this condition.
Our nurses and advanced practice providers work closely with families between visits. They help with medication access, insurance questions, school forms, care instructions, and communication with school nurses.
Our goal is to help your child participate as fully as possible in school, activities, and family life. When helpful and appropriate, we can also connect families with support resources or other families who understand the experience.