Physicians may prescribe the use of nitric oxide to help premature babies breathe. Drugs.com reports the inhaled gas helps to dilate the child's blood vessels, primarily in his lungs, which helps him breathe better. Nitric oxide, introduced through a ventilator, can help fight respiratory failure in babies who came into the world too soon, Drugs.com states.
Hypotension
The use of nitric oxide may cause a drop in the child's blood pressure. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, can cause the infant's body to lack the needed level of oxygen throughout the system. Lack of oxygen can result in brain damage and other serious problems if not treated and corrected, the Mayo Clinic reports.
Breathing Problems
The child may have additional breathing problems, either while he still takes nitric oxide or when the medication has stopped, Drugs.com states. For example, he may breathe noisily while using the medication with the ventilator. He also may experience the collapse of one of his lungs, the organization reports. Following the cessation of treatment with nitric oxide, the baby may continue to find breathing difficult. While the child inhales nitric oxide, he will fall under continual monitoring by nurses and doctors who may need to provide other treatment for the newborn following the cessation of the drug.
Hyperglycemia
While using nitric oxide, the child may develop a high blood glucose level, the same problem faced by diabetics. Too much glucose in the child's bloodstream can cause serious problems for the baby's health. Hyperglycemia may show itself through increased frequency of urination, thirstiness and headaches, the Mayo Clinic states.
Bloody Urine
The use of nitric oxide also may cause the baby to produce blood in her urine. This may constitute a serious problem that the doctor must treat or cease to use the drug. However, this problem and others caused by side effects of nitric oxide may reverse themselves upon cessation of the drug's use, Drugs.com reports.
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