Current controversies in the management of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE

Patent ductus arteriosus is very commonly seen in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, affecting about one-third. The present review tries to identify the group of VLBW infants who need active intervention in day-to-day practice and to determine the mode of intervention, based on current published literatures.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases, and reference that of identified trials.

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSIONS

Preterm infants with a birth weight of <800g are at risk of significant morbidity and mortality from PDA; it would be reasonable to treat them when symptomatic or if requiring positive pressure ventilator support. Those weighing >800g are unlikely to need treatment unless they are ventilator-dependent or show evidence of congestive heart failure.