Irreversible Respiratory Failure in a Full-Term Infant with Features of Pulmonary Interstitial Glycogenosis as Well as Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

International treatment outcomes of neonates on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN): a systematic review

BACKGROUND

PPHN is a common cause of neonatal respiratory failure and is still a serious condition and associated with high mortality.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the demographic variables, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes in neonates with PHHN who underwent ECMO and survived compared to neonates with PHHN who underwent ECMO and died.

METHODS

We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline and searched ProQuest, Medline, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Wiley online library, Scopus and Nature for studies on the development of PPHN in neonates who underwent ECMO, published from January 1, 2010 to May 31, 2023, with English language restriction.

RESULTS

Of the 5689 papers that were identified, 134 articles were included in the systematic review. Studies involving 1814 neonates with PPHN who were placed on ECMO were analyzed (1218 survived and 594 died). Neonates in the PPHN group who died had lower proportion of normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (6.4% vs 1.8%; p value > 0.05) and lower Apgar scores at 1 min and 5 min [i.e., low Apgar score: 1.5% vs 0.5%, moderately abnormal Apgar score: 10.3% vs 1.2% and reassuring Apgar score: 4% vs 2.3%; p value = 0.039] compared to those who survived. Neonates who had PPHN and died had higher proportion of medical comorbidities such as omphalocele (0.7% vs 4.7%), systemic hypotension (1% vs 2.5%), infection with Herpes simplex virus (0.4% vs 2.2%) or Bordetella pertussis (0.7% vs 2%); p = 0.042. Neonates with PPHN in the death group were more likely to present due to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (25.5% vs 47.3%), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (4.2% vs 13.5%), meconium aspiration syndrome (8% vs 12.1%), pneumonia (1.6% vs 8.4%), sepsis (1.5% vs 8.2%) and alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (0.1% vs 4.4%); p = 0.019. Neonates with PPHN who died needed a longer median time of mechanical ventilation (15 days, IQR 10 to 27 vs. 10 days, IQR 7 to 28; p = 0.024) and ECMO use (9.2 days, IQR 3.9 to 13.5 vs. 6 days, IQR 3 to 12.5; p = 0.033), and a shorter median duration of hospital stay (23 days, IQR 12.5 to 46 vs. 58.5 days, IQR 28.2 to 60.7; p = 0.000) compared to the neonates with PPHN who survived. ECMO-related complications such as chylothorax (1% vs 2.7%), intracranial bleeding (1.2% vs 1.7%) and catheter-related infections (0% vs 0.3%) were more frequent in the group of neonates with PPHN who died (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

ECMO in the neonates with PPHN who failed supportive cardiorespiratory care and conventional therapies has been successfully utilized with a neonatal survival rate of 67.1%. Mortality in neonates with PPHN who underwent ECMO was highest in cases born via the caesarean delivery mode or neonates who had lower Apgar scores at birth. Fatality rate in neonates with PPHN who underwent ECMO was the highest in patients with higher rate of specific medical comorbidities (omphalocele, systemic hypotension and infection with Herpes simplex virus or Bordetella pertussis) or cases who had PPHN due to higher rate of specific etiologies (congenital diaphragmatic hernia, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and meconium aspiration syndrome). Neonates with PPHN who died may need a longer time of mechanical ventilation and ECMO use and a shorter duration of hospital stay; and may experience higher frequency of ECMO-related complications (chylothorax, intracranial bleeding and catheter-related infections) in comparison with the neonates with PPHN who survived.

An Infant with Persistent Respiratory Failure Associated with Refractory Pulmonary Hypertension: Pulmonary Interstitial Glycogenosis

Pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis (PIG) is a disease of unknown etiology. It is part of the interstitial lung diseases, corresponding to the compartment of the fetal pulmonary interstitium. It typically presents within the first week of life as refractory respiratory distress with tachypnea and persistent hypoxemia, and it is not associated with glycogen deposition in other organs. Usually, there is a clinical improvement and good prognosis after steroid therapy unless there are associated conditions such as congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, or genetic disorders. We report a case diagnosed by lung biopsy at 4 months of age in a male preterm born, small for gestational age infant, who developed refractory hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension with fatal outcome. There was no response to steroids and hydroxychloroquine. He was not candidate for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. PIG should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent respiratory distress and hypoxemia despite standard treatment, even after the first month of life.

Pulmonary growth abnormalities as etiologies for pediatric pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary growth abnormality (PGA) is a common type of diffuse lung disease in infants. Although the histologic and radiographic features of PGA have been described in the literature in varying detail, the clinical spectrum of disease has not. The array of case series and case reports has led to a clinical picture that could be confusing to clinicians. We describe three subsets of PGA, including its association with the histologic marker of pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis, and its common association with pulmonary hypertension. We propose a new approach to what we consider an increasingly broad array of different disease entities.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension Without Underlying Cardiac Disease as a Presentation of Pulmonary Interstitial Glycogenosis

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis (PIG) is an idiopathic lung condition that remains clinically underrecognized despite a growing body of literature.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of PIG with pulmonary hypertension without underlying cardiac disease. This patient presented with respiratory distress and spontaneous pneumothorax at 6 months of age. Laboratory and imaging investigations demonstrated nonspecific features, but refractory pulmonary hypertension was confirmed on cardiac catheterization. Lung tissue histopathology showed glycogen positive staining of the interstitial cells, consistent with PIG.

CONCLUSION

This unique case demonstrates that pulmonary hypertension can be seen in the setting of PIG without associated cardiac anomalies, and persists despite treatment in an otherwise self-limited condition.

Interstitial lung disease in newborns

The term 'interstitial lung disease' (ILD) refers to a group of disorders involving both the airspaces and tissue compartments of the lung, and these disorders are more accurately termed diffuse lung diseases. Although rare, they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with the prognosis depending upon the specific diagnosis. The major categories of ILD in children that present in the neonatal period include developmental disorders, growth disorders, surfactant dysfunction disorders, and specific conditions of unknown etiology unique to infancy. Whereas lung histopathology has been the gold standard for the diagnosis of ILD, as many of the disorders have a genetic basis, non-invasive diagnosis is feasible, and characteristic clinical and imaging features may allow for specific diagnosis in some circumstances. The underlying mechanisms, clinical, imaging, and lung pathology features and outcomes of ILD presenting in newborns are reviewed with an emphasis on genetic mechanisms and diagnosis.

Pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis in a patient with trisomy 21

Pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis is an interstitial lung disease of childhood that has been increasingly reported over the past decade. Here, we present a case of pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis associated with trisomy 21, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and congenital heart disease in a 34 week premature infant.