Identification of the Risk of Remote Pulmonary Hypertension in Preterm Births.

This study aims to learn about the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction in patients born prematurely, at birth and at a distance, and the association with the development of pulmonary bronchodysplasia, so that screening programs can be set up in the future and proper treatment can be initiated in a timely manner. Enrolled patients, should asymptomatic pulmonary hypertension be diagnosed, will be able to be taken to dedicated outpatient clinics and initiate appropriate treatment if indicated. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the incidence of late pulmonary arterial hypertension and/or right ventricular dysfunction in a cohort of former preterm patients. The study will also provide a greater awareness of the epidemiology of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction in these patients and allow appropriate screening and follow-up to be planned.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients diagnosed with prematurity with gestational age less than 30 weeks evaluated at outpatient clinics dedicated to neonatal follow-up of participating health care providers during the study data collection period.
• Obtaining informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of genetic disease;
• Concomitant presence of congenital heart disease except interatrial defect or patency of the ductus arteriosus;
• Concomitant presence of diaphragmatic hernia