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Review
. 2011;66(12):2141-9.
doi: 10.1590/s1807-59322011001200022.

Should we definitively abandon prophylaxis for patent ductus arteriosus in preterm new-borns?

Vassilios Fanos  1 , Michele Pusceddu, Angelica Dessì, Maria Antonietta Marcialis
Affiliations
Review

Should we definitively abandon prophylaxis for patent ductus arteriosus in preterm new-borns?

Vassilios Fanos et al. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011.

Abstract

Although the prophylactic administration of indomethacin in extremely low-birth weight infants reduces the frequency of patent ductus arteriosus and severe intraventricular hemorrhage, it does not appear to provide any long-term benefit in terms of survival without neurosensory and cognitive outcomes. Considering the increased drug-induced reduction in renal, intestinal, and cerebral blood flow, the use of prophylaxis cannot be routinely recommended in preterm neonates. However, a better understanding of the genetic background of each infant may allow for individualized prophylaxis using NSAIDs and metabolomics.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported.

References

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