DUCTUS-ARTERIOSUS IN PREMATURE-INFANTS BEYOND THE 2ND WEEK OF LIFE

Persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus (PDA), common in premature infants, is associated with severe respiratory distress. The likeliho od and significance of finding PDA in premature infants beyond the sec ond week of life is unknown. We retrospectively analyzed all echocardi ograms obtained between 1987 and 1992 on infants <35 weeks' gestationa l age. Of 446 echocardiograms 77 were obtained from infants greater th an or equal to 14 days. Of the 77 infants, 17 (22%) were found to have PDA (group 1) and the remainder did not (group 2). Forty-eight infant s had been diagnosed as having PDA prior to 14 days of age. Of these i nfants, 16 were from group 1. Thus only 1/17 (6%) infants diagnosed as having PDA after 2 weeks did not have a history of PDA. The presence of PDA after 2 weeks did not relate to duration of oxygen therapy, ven tilator therapy, or hospital stay. Furthermore, late closure of PDA in a subgroup of 11 infants did not appear to affect these parameters. I t was concluded that premature infants beyond the second week of life are unlikely to have PDA if PDA had not been diagnosed during the firs t 14 days. Closure of PDA beyond the second week may not improve the i nfant's respiratory status.