Ibuprofen in the management of neonatal Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) has a prevalence of approximately 25% in neonates of less than 33 weeks gestation. Failure to treat increases the mortality risk in these preterm infants. Intravenous Ibuprofen has recently been licensed in the United Kingdom as a treatment for this condition. This article reviews the clinical efficacy, side effect profile and dosing/administration schedule of this drug and discusses the warnings and precautions currently attributed to this formulation. Ibuprofen provides a further option for neonatologists in the management of PDA.