Early versus conventional treatment for patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
After the introduction of a new protocol based on the early treatment with indomethacin for patent ductus arteriosus, the objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of this new practice in comparison with the safety and efficacy of the conventional treatment in a high-risk population.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 154 newborns with an average gestational age of 26.4 weeks (1.37 standard deviation) and an average birth weight of 855 g (201.5 standard deviation). A statistically descriptive analysis was performed with SPSS Statistics Pack version 17.0.


CONCLUSIONS
We did not find any statistically significant differences in the clinical features of the two treatment groups, nor in the main efficacy, morbidity, and mortality results.
Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Neonatology Unit, Barcelona, Spain. 38751jcp@comb.es
Júlia
J
Candel-Pau
Ángeles
Á
Linde Sillo
Félix
F
Castillo Salinas
Ermengol
E
Coma Redon
Queralt
Q
Ferrer Menduiña
Dimpna C
DC
Albert
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D007213:Indomethacin