Preemies With Patent Ductus Arteriosus Fare Better Without Surgery

 Feb 13 - Extremely low birthweight babies with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) have a better outcome by 18 months of age if the defect is not repaired, neonatologists report in the February issue of Pediatrics.

An analysis of 2,838 infants with PDA born at 23-28 weeks' gestation and weighing between 401 and 1000 grams at birth was conducted by Dr. Juliette C. Madan of Tufts Medical Center in Boston and colleagues.

Using information from a National Institutes of Health database, the researchers determined that 403 infants had received supportive care only, 1,525 were treated with indomethacin only, 775 received indomethacin followed by surgical closure, and 135 underwent primary surgical closure.