Ligation of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Very Low Birth Weight Premature Infants

Abstract Background Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is frequently encountered in premature infants. Optimal management of PDA remains undefined. We aim to assess the national trend for PDA ligation over 18 years and evaluate mortality and associated morbidities. Methods We used data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and KID of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) from 1998 to 2015. All infants with gestational age 24–32 weeks and birth weight Results A total of 429900 neonatal admissions were identified. Of them, 149473 (34.8%) infants had PDA. PDA-ligated infants were 27364 (6.4%). PDA ligation was more likely in those with smaller gestational age and with birth weight Conclusions Ligation of PDA has been steadily declining since 2004. Despite higher morbidities, PDA-ligated infants had less mortality.