Mohamed F. Elsisy, Fred Z. Lam, Mark M. Naguib, Mary E. Dees, James C. Gay, George T. Nicholson
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
United States
Journal of Perinatology
J Perinatol 2026;
DOI: 10.1038/s41372-026-02703-z
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is increasingly recognized in preterm infants, yet data regarding characteristics and outcomes remain limited.
Methods: A review of hospitalizations from 50 children’s hospitals across the United States participating in the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database was performed. We identified 268,461 pediatric patients (≤24 months of age) with a history of prematurity (<37 weeks’ gestation) admitted between 2016 and 2024. PVS was identified in 703 (0.3%) using ICD-10 diagnosis code I28.8.
Results: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, birthweight ≤1.5 kg, Oxygen and ventilator dependency at discharge, pulmonary hypertension, left-to-right shunt lesions, and necrotizing enterocolitis were associated with PVS. Interestingly, gestational age <28 weeks was not associated with PVS. Patients with PVS had higher in-hospital mortality (11.4% vs 2%, p < 0.01), longer hospitalization, and substantially higher adjusted hospitalization costs. After adjusting for prematurity and comorbidities, PVS remained associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 4.3, 95% CI 3.4-5.5, p < 0.01).
Conclusion: PVS in preterm infants is associated with in-hospital mortality, morbidity, and resource utilization, highlighting the need for improved recognition and structured surveillance.
Category
Stenosis or Obstruction of Normal Pulmonary Venous Connections
Incidence or Prevalence of Disease
Patient Factors Influencing the Onset, Severity or Outcome of Disease
Length of Life Associated with Pulmonary Venous Obstruction
Year of Publication: 2026
Age Focus: Pediatric
Article Type: Retrospective Observational Cohort Studies (>10 patients)
Article Access: Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: Yes