Comparison of two neonatal indomethacin protocols: efficacy and outcome for patent ductus arteriosus closure.
BACKGROUND
Indomethacin, a non-selective inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, is the gold standard treatment for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Indomethacin has been shown to permanently close the ductus and when given prophylactically, it reduces the incidence of PDA (1, 2).


OBJECTIVE
This study compares PDA closure and surgical ligation rates between patients using two different indomethacin administration protocols.


METHODS
This is a retrospective comparison analysis of 72 neonates, who received one of two indomethacin administration protocols. Our previous protocol suggested an initial dose of 0·2 mg/kg followed by two 0·1 mg/kg, with doses infused over 4 h and a 24-h dosing interval. A new potentially more useful protocol using the same mg/kg dose regimen but with doses infused over 30 min and a 12-h dosing interval, was evaluated. Each neonate was allowed three courses of treatment before surgical ligation was performed for persistent PDA.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences between the two protocol groups when comparing percentages of neonates with gestational age≤28 weeks, birth weight≤1000 g, male gender or receiving indomethacin for the indication of PDA prophylaxis vs. treatment. There was a trend towards a higher PDA closure rate and subsequently a lower PDA ligation rate in the new protocol when compared with the previous protocol.


CONCLUSIONS
In this small population of premature neonates, there was a trend, but no significant difference, towards increasing PDA closure and lower surgical ligation rates in neonates given indomethacin with more frequent dosing and shorter infusion time. A well-powered randomized controlled trial is now needed.
Rosito
G
G
California Pacific Medical Center Department of Pharmacy, San Francisco, CA 94120, USA. rositog@sutterhealth.org
Sum
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Chorne
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D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001724:Birth Weight; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007213:Indomethacin