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Am J Perinatol 2010; 27(5): 399-404
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1243315
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Indomethacin or Ibuprofen?

Nehama Linder1 , 3 , 4 , Rachel Bello1 , Adriana Hernandez1 , Chava Rosen1 , Einat Birk2 , 4 , Lea Sirota3 , 4 , Yelena Pushkov1 , Gil Klinger3 , 4
  • 1Department of Neonatology, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva
  • 2Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva
  • 3Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva
  • 4Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Publication History

Publication Date:
10 December 2009 (online)

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ABSTRACT

We compared ibuprofen and indomethacin for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants. A retrospective comparative study was conducted at a pediatric tertiary center in preterm infants diagnosed with PDA. Infants born from January 2000 to June 2003 were treated with indomethacin, whereas infants born from July 2003 to November 2005 were treated with ibuprofen. The two treatment groups were compared. Demographic data and clinical, laboratory, and outcome data were collected from the medical files. Seventy-three infants were included in the ibuprofen group and 46 in the indomethacin group. No significant difference in efficacy was found between indomethacin and ibuprofen. Compared with ibuprofen, indomethacin treatment was associated with significantly higher mean creatinine levels and a higher percent of infants with creatinine >1.2 mg/dL, hyponatremia <120 mmol/L, and platelet level <100,000 platelets/mL3. There were no significant differences in bilirubin levels, incidence and grade of intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, rate of surgical duct ligation, sepsis, length of hospital stay, or mortality. Indomethacin and ibuprofen are equally effective for PDA closure in premature infants. Treatment with ibuprofen is safer, decreasing the risk of renal failure, thrombocytopenia, and hyponatremia.

KEYWORDS

Patent ductus arteriosus - ibuprofen - indomethacin - preterm infant

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Prof. N. LinderM.D. 

Department of Neonatology, Rabin Medical Center

2 Denmark St. Petach Tikva 49100, Israel

Email: linderm@netvision.net.il