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 32.12.65 (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 5min 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.