Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment


- Home
- Treatment Areas
- Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is relatively rare, occurring in only two children per one million. Despite its low occurrence, Blythedale treated 30 children with pulmonary hypertension last year.
Blythedale’s expertise in caring for the most medically fragile of children is evident in our Pulmonary Hypertension rehabilitation program. Children come to Blythedale directly from the Intensive Care Unit while receiving intravenous, inhaled, subcutaneous or oral medications for pulmonary hypertension. Our pharmacy, staffed by board certified pediatric clinical pharmacists, compounds therapeutic agents and prepares IV infusions on site. By investing in the most modern respiratory support technology, including critical care ventilators, portable ventilators, BiPAP, CPAP, bubble CPAP and high flow nasal cannula, we can transition infants and children quickly from the Intensive Care Unit to Blythedale.
Attending pediatricians are in the Hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as a commitment to a high quality and safe environment for medically fragile children. Our multi-disciplinary team of pediatricians, intensive care physicians, pediatric pulmonologists and pediatric respiratory therapists work closely with nurses, and physical, occupational and speech therapists to monitor cardiac and respiratory status while helping each child reach his or her full potential. Children and families maintain their relationship with the child’s referring medical team. We have regular communication with the Pulmonary Hypertension teams from our referring institutions and arrange follow-up visits for evaluations such as echocardiograms and cardiac catheterizations, as needed.
Parents are involved in the care of the child and learn proper use of equipment, how to safely give pulmonary hypertension treatments and manage respiratory support devices from the start of admission. Caregiver training is one of the hallmarks of the Blythedale experience and critical to prepare families to bring a child with pulmonary hypertension home.
A Journey of Hope
Follow the extraordinary journeys of a few of Blythedale's smallest and most fragile infants, as their families prepare to bring them home... for the very first time.
Pulmonary Hypertension Team
Our multi-disciplinary team of pediatricians, intensive care physicians, pediatric pulmonologists and pediatric respiratory therapists work closely with nurses, and physical, occupational and speech therapists to monitor cardiac and respiratory status while helping each child reach their full potential.
Related Departments
Respiratory Care Services
Respiratory therapists serve as consultants to nurses, physicians, and other members of the health care team. Our staff consists of experienced respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy residents who provide excellent quality care, including inpatient services 24 hours a day, seven days a week...
Nursing
The focus of our care is on the possibilities of each child and family for healing, for learning and for progress. We individualize the plan of care to incorporate each family's goals as we recognize that every child and parent has unique needs and strengths. Our hands-on nursing approach...
Social Work and Care Coordination Services
When your child is admitted to one of Blythedale’s programs, your family is assigned a social worker who will work closely with you throughout your stay at Blythedale. We will help you cope with the emotional stress of the next phase of your child’s recovery while adjusting to a new...
Parent and Caregiver Training
Parents receive extensive training in managing their child’s condition and necessary medical equipment. If a child relies on medical technology, such as a ventilator, our staff engages parents in a thorough program of education - beginning on day one - so parents become confident and adept in...
Physical Therapy
Treatment plans often include exercise for patients who have been immobilized and lack flexibility, strength, or endurance. In addition, pediatric physical therapists promote development of normal components of movement and gross motor skills. Augmentative therapies provided by Blythedale’s...
Occupational Therapy
Our experienced pediatric OTs are proficient in working with children ranging from medically fragile infants to teenagers recovering from traumatic injuries. Our treatment sessions are child centered using a supportive and playful approach. Services include: Comprehensive evaluation of child’...
Speech Pathology & Audiology
Speech and Feeding Therapy Blythedale is skilled in diagnosing subtle developmental differences that are often difficult to identify. We provides services in the areas of language (understanding and expression of thoughts), speech (or clarity), voice, fluency (or stuttering), pragmatic (or social...
Pharmacy
The Department is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to patients and staff. Our pharmacists prepare compounds for both enteral and parenteral specialty medications, and provides individualized patient specific weight based unit doses. Our team reviews the appropriateness of all medication...
Clinical Nutrition
Our dietitians create individualized meal plans for patients with allergies, dietary restrictions and specialized diets, while working alongside the child's speech therapist to ensure the best results. For the infant population at Blythedale Children's Hospital, the Clinical Nutrition team...
Therapeutic and Developmental Support Services
Child Life and Creative Arts Program Child Life Program The Child Life and Creative Arts program at Blythedale Children’s Hospital is dedicated to helping infants, children and their families cope through their medical journey. Our team of Certified Child Life Specialists are trained in the...
Joyful Jackson Goes Home
Ex-Preemie Prevails with Respiratory Reslience, Brotherly Bond & Family of Fighters
Jackson, a preemie twin, was born weighing as much as a carton of eggs and diagnosed with complex respiratory and feeding issues. But, just like his brother and parents, Jackson is a fighter. While at Blythedale Children's Hospital, he packed on 20 lbs., became stronger, more mobile and is now on the path toward eliminating use of his respiratory support devices.

Marvelous Mirela
In June of 2016, then three-month-old Mirela was admitted to Blythedale’s Infant & Toddler Unit for medical management of her complex condition, and potentially for ventilator weaning. She was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and chronic respiratory failure, as well as congenital hypotonia, a genetic abnormality which causes decreased muscle tone. Mirela was treated in the Hospital’s post-NICU program for several months before her parents learned she was a candidate for transfer to the new Steven and Alexandra Cohen Pediatric Long Term Care Pavilion at Blythedale Children’s Hospital.

Arriyana Doesn't Let Pulmonary Hypertension Keep Her Down
16-month-old Ariyana was born at a mere 25-weeks gestation, weighing only 15 ounces. Her immediate medical needs were highly complex, given her extreme prematurity. She had several serious complications, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity.
It’s a comfort level for the families to know that when they come from these highly intense environments, the doctors here at Blythedale know exactly know what to do.
- Scott Klein, M.D., M.H.S.A., Chief of Pediatrics and Clinical Care Services