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Patent Ductus Arteriosus & Ibuprofen

Patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital heart defect that occurs most often in premature infants, but also can occur in full-term babies. Treatment options include surgery and medication, like ibuprofen.

  1. Patent Ductus Arteriosus

    • Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occurs when a blood vessel, called the ductus arteriosus, fails to close in the days after birth. When it remains open, blood from the aorta and pulmonary artery mix, which puts extra strain on the infant's heart, according to the National Institutes of Health.

    Ibuprofen Treatment

    • Ibuprofen is given to infants with patent ductus arteriosus because it is a prostaglandin inhibitor. Prostaglandin encourages the PDA to stay open, so ibuprofen blocks its action and helps the opening to close on its own.

    Considerations

    • In some children, patent ductus arteriosus closes without treatment, so a doctor might wait before administering ibuprofen. If medication does not help, a surgeon can close PDA by tying it off, according to "Neonatal Respiratory Care Handbook."

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