Patent Ductus ArteriosusHow to Say It: PA-tent DUC-tus Ar-Ter-e-O-sus
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionPatent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is an unclosed hole in the heart's aorta. Before birth, the fetus gets its oxygen from the mother, so the lungs are not used. The ductus arteriosus is a small hole that lets the blood of the fetus bypass lungs. In most babies, the hole closes within a few hours of birth. This is normal. When the hole stays open, blood travels in the wrong direction. This causes too much blood to flow through the lungs.
CausesPremature birth is the most common cause. PDA may also be linked to:
Risk FactorsThis problem is more common in babies who weigh less than usual and are born before 28 weeks of pregnancy. It is also more common in female babies. The risk is also higher in low birth weight babies with:
SymptomsA baby with a small PDA may not have symptoms. Babies with a large PDA may have:
DiagnosisThis problem is often diagnosed at birth. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will listen for signs of a heart murmur. This is enough to suspect PDA. Blood tests will be done to look for signs of PDA. Images may be taken of your baby's chest. This can be done with an echocardiogram. TreatmentIn some babies, the PDA may close on its own with time. In others, the goal of treatment is to close the PDA. Choices are:
Babies who are not helped by these methods may need surgery to close the PDA. PreventionThere are no guidelines to prevent this health problem. RESOURCES:American Heart Association http://www.heart.org Children's Heart Institute http://www.childrenheartinstitute.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Cardiovascular Society http://www.ccs.ca The College of Family Physicians of Canada http://www.cfpc.ca REFERENCES:Congenital patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Cincinnati Children's website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed March 5, 2021. Mezu-Ndubuisi OJ, Agarwal G, et al. Patent ductus arteriosus in premature neonates. Drugs. 2012 May 7;72(7):907-916. Patent ductus arteriosus. Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed March 5, 2021. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). American Heart Association website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed March 5, 2021.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/patent-ductus-arteriosus-pda. Accessed March 5, 2021.
Last reviewed December 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Kari Kassir, MD Last Updated: 3/5/2021 | |
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