Prevalence and risk factors associated with the patency of ductus arteriosus in premature neonates: a prospective observational study from Iran

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common problem in the preterm infants. The frequency of PDA varies with the time of study, and the characteristics of the population included in the trial.

Aims and objective: To determine the prevalence and prenatal risk factor associated with PDA.

Methods and material: This prospective cross-sectional observational study was carried out on neonates who had gestational age below 37 weeks during the period of February 2014 to September 2014. Echocardiography was done at 4–7 days of postnatal age. The association between prenatal risk factors of the infants and the PDA was studied.

Results: From a total population of 200 enrolled infants 22.5% had PDA. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 32.1?±?2.65 (weeks) and 1741?±?622.85 (g), respectively. Maternal antepartum hemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), need for surfactant, birth weights, female gender, gestational age, Apgar scores at 1 and 5?min of the infants were found to be associated with the prevalence of PDA.

Conclusion: Several prenatal factors make preterm newborns susceptible to PDA. These risk factors should be identified as soon as possible for early commencement of PDA management.