[Ibuprofen--a new application for pharmacological closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants. Preliminary report].

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) remains a frequent problem in premature infants, particularly with very low birth weight. Left-to-right shunting through the ductus may increase the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and death. Indomethacin is the conventional pharmacologic treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Although indomethacin is effective in closing PDA, its use may be associated with negative influences on renal, gastrointestinal and cerebral blood flow. More recently Ibuprofen has been tested; it can close the ductus arteriosus, but compared it with indomethacin, it has no negative influence on intestinal haemodynamics. On the basis of relevant literature, ibuprofen and indomethacin have been compared with regard to efficacy for closure of patent ductus arteriosus and side effects.