Oral Ibuprofen Safety Profile for Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants

Introduction: Intravenous Ibuprofen and Indomethacin are used for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants, but are expensive and scarce in Colombia. Oral Ibuprofen is an effective and affordable alternative, but there are safety concerns. Objective: To describe the safety profile of oral ibuprofen in preterm infants treated for ductus closure. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort. Preterm infants with ductus and hemodynamic compromise who received oral ibuprofen. Outcomes: mortality, renal failure, upper GI bleeding and intestinal perforation. Results: Of 237 cases, 185 were included. There were 5% with renal failure, 2.7% with upper GI bleeding and 2.2% with intestinal perforations. Died 10.8%: for sepsis, 45%; for extreme immaturity, 35%, and 20%, for necrotizing enterocolitis. Conclusions: The incidence of adverse events with oral ibuprofen was low. The main adverse event was renal failure (5%). Oral ibuprofen appears to be safe in closure of patent ductus arteriosus for preterm infants.