Effect of persistent patent ductus arteriosus on mortality and morbidity in very low-birthweight infants

Aim:  Because New Caledonia is geographically isolated from the nearest cardiac surgical centre, surgical closure of ductus arteriosus is not performed in very low-birthweight (VLBW) infants who have a persistent patent ductus in spite of having undergone treatment with ibuprofen. This study aimed at investigating the possible effect of persistent patent ductus in VLBW infants. Methods:  The study included 177 VLBW infants born at 25–31 weeks of gestation from January 2006 to May 2011. Mortality and major morbidities were compared between infants with a persistent patent ductus (n = 33) and those without it (n = 104). Statistical associations between potential neonatal risk factors and significant morbidities were identified using multivariate regression analyses. Results:  Rates of mortality and major morbidities, including the rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular haemorrhage grades I–II and III–IV, periventricular leucomalacia, late-onset infections and failure of hearing screening, were insignificantly higher in VLBW infants with a persistent patent ductus than in those without it. Conclusion:  This study adds further evidence that persistent patent ductus arteriosus has no significant effect on mortality and morbidity in VLBW infants born at ≥25 weeks’ gestational age.