A new approach to an old hypothesis; phototherapy does not affect ductal patency via PGE2 and PGI2

AbstractObjective: Numerous investigations have demonstrated that phototherapy (PT) directly or indirectly causes ductal patency by photorelaxation effect. In this observational study, we aimed to assess the effect of PT on the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) together with prostaglandins (PGE2) and (PGI2) levels in preterm infants.Methods: Preterm infants whose gestational age < 34 weeks and who required PT in the first 3 d of life were enrolled in this prospective study. The clinical signs of PDA, the data of detailed echocardiographic study were recorded and plasma PGE2 and PGI2 levels were measured before and after PT. The outcome measures were the status of ductus arteriosus and alterations of PGE2 and PGI2 levels under the effect of PT.Results: A total of 44 preterm infants were enrolled in the study, of these 21 (47.7%) were in Group 1 (Non-PDA Group) and 23 (52.3%) were in Group 2 (PDA Group). After PT, ductal reopening occurred in three infants (14.3%) in Group 1, while ductus closed i...