Current controversies in the management of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
Patent ductus arteriosus is very commonly seen in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, affecting about one-third. The present review tries to identify the group of VLBW infants who need active intervention in day-to-day practice and to determine the mode of intervention, based on current published literatures.


METHODS
We searched the Cochrane library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases, and reference that of identified trials.


CONCLUSIONS
Preterm infants with a birth weight of <800g are at risk of significant morbidity and mortality from PDA; it would be reasonable to treat them when symptomatic or if requiring positive pressure ventilator support. Those weighing >800g are unlikely to need treatment unless they are ventilator-dependent or show evidence of congestive heart failure.
Correspondence to: Victor Samuel Rajadurai, Head of Department of Neonatology, KK Women's and Childrens Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 229899. victor.samuel@kkh.com.sg.
Thowfique K
TK
Ibrahim
A A Abdul
AA
Haium
S
S
Chandran
V S
VS
Rajadurai
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors