Abstract
The ductus arteriosus frequently fails to close in premature neonates. Considerable difference in opinion exists around what signifies a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and how reliable clinical signs are in determining the degree of the left-to-right shunting. Although reliance on clinical signs alone could delay the diagnosis of a PDA, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that early treatment improves outcome. Echocardiography is often used as the gold standard for diagnosing a PDA. A combination of echocardiographic measurements may assist in the early diagnosis of a PDA with a hemodynamically significant degree of left-to-right shunting, especially in extremely premature babies, where closure can be significantly delayed. Decision to treat PDA should be based on a combination of clinical signs and echocardiographic parameters. Monitoring B-type natriuretic peptide may be useful in the diagnosing neonates with symptomatic PDA.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 147-149 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Early Human Development |
Volume | 85 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2009 |
Keywords
- Echocardiography
- Indomethacin
- Neonate
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Premature
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology