PEDIATRICS Vol. 62 No. 5 November 1978, pp. 706-712
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by McCarthy, J. S.
Right arrow Articles by Gelband, H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by McCarthy, J. S.
Right arrow Articles by Gelband, H.

Age-Dependent Closure of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus by Indomethacin

Jeane S. McCarthy M.D., Ph.D.1, Leonor G. Zies M.D.1, and Henry Gelband M.D.1

1 Divisions of Newborn Medicine and Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami School of Medicine

Indomethacin has been shown to be effective in closing a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in small premature infants. However, the age range over which this therapy is effective remains undetermined. Eighteen infants ranging in age from 4 to 45 days were studied. All had auscultatory and clinical findings indicative of PDA. Seventeen had roentgenographic evidence of cardiomegly and/or increased pulmonary vascular markings, and eight had ECG evidence of ventricular hypertrophy. Indomethacin was administered to most patients in two doses of 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg 24 hours apart. In eight of 12 patients, 3 week of age or younger, the PDA closed after indomethacin therapy. Two patients had a decrease in the intensity of murmur and improvement of congestive heart failure after treatment, but the PDA did not close completely. Only patients 33 weeks of age (actual age) or younger responded to indomethacin therapy with complete ductal closure. The condition of patients 34 to 36 weeks of age improved but there was not complete closure; in patients older than 36 weeks there was no response. The data suggest an age-related mechanism for PDA closure and that treatment with indomethacin before 33 weeks of age is probably required. A role for prostaglandin in ductal patency is postulated.

Submitted on January 19, 1978
Accepted on August 4, 1978




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 CLIN PEDIATRHome page
R. C. McKone and K. M. Weesner
Determination of the Time of Closure of the Ductus Arteriosus in Severely III Premature Infants
Clinical Pediatrics, March 1, 1988; 27(3): 135 - 139.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 CLIN PEDIATRHome page
M. J. Kresch, F. R. Moya, R. J. Ascuitto, N. T. Ross-Ascuitto, and F. Heusser
Late Closure of the Ductus Arteriosus Using Indomethacin in the Preterm Infant
Clinical Pediatrics, March 1, 1988; 27(3): 140 - 143.
[Abstract] [PDF]