Paracetamol treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of paracetamol in closing patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants of our population.


METHODS
Infants with symptomatic PDA who failed or could not get ibuprofen treatment, and who were candidates for surgical ligation, were administered oral paracetamol 15 mg kg⁻¹ every 6h, for up to 7 days and were monitored for clinical, echocardiographic and laboratorial courses.


RESULTS
Seven infants, between 24-27 weeks' gestation, were included. In four the DA was closed while treated by paracetamol-in one of them the DA reopened, treated with paracetamol again, and closed. In one infant, the DA almost closed, symptoms disappeared, and the DA subsequently closed spontaneously later. Two needed surgical ligation. There were no hematologic or biochemical abnormalities.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there is the possibility that PDA may have closed spontaneously, it is proposed that paracetamol could contribute to the closure of PDA in preterm infants.
Department of Neonatology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel.
E
E
Nadir
Unit of Pediatric Cardiology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel.
E
E
Kassem
Department of Neonatology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel.
S
S
Foldi
Department of Neonatology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel.
A
A
Hochberg
Department of Neonatology, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel.
M
M
Feldman
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000082:Acetaminophen