Is patent ductus arteriosus serious in premature newborns?

Patent ductus arteriosus is a common heart problem in premature newborns. The severity varies from individual to individual. Some children may recover without treatment, but some cases require medical intervention. Patent ductus arteriosus may cause increased cardiac burden, pulmonary hypertension and other problems. The severity needs to be assessed and appropriate measures taken according to the specific situation.

1. Causes of patent ductus arteriosus in premature neonates

Patent ductus arteriosus is common in premature infants and is mainly related to the following factors:

Physiological factors: The heart and vascular system of premature infants are immature, and the ductus arteriosus fails to close in time.

Genetic factors: Some children may have a family genetic tendency, which leads to abnormal vascular development.

Environmental factors: Maternal infection, drug use, or malnutrition during pregnancy may affect fetal heart development.

Pathological factors: Premature infants with other diseases, such as respiratory distress syndrome, may increase the risk of patent ductus arteriosus.

2. Assessment of the severity of patent ductus arteriosus

The severity of a patent ductus arteriosus depends on the size of the ductus, its hemodynamic implications, and the presence of other complications.

Mild: The duct is small, blood flow is slightly affected, and there may be no obvious symptoms. Some children may recover on their own as they age.

Moderate: The catheter is large, which may increase the burden on the heart and cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and difficulty feeding.

Severe: The catheter is too large or combined with other heart problems, which may cause serious complications such as pulmonary hypertension and heart failure and require timely treatment.

3. Treatment of patent ductus arteriosus

Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment includes medication, surgery, and watchful waiting.

Drug treatment: Commonly used drugs include indomethacin, ibuprofen, etc., which promote duct closure by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.

Surgical treatment: For children whose condition is seriously ill or whose medications are ineffective, minimally invasive catheter occlusion or open-chest surgery can be used to close the catheter.

Watchful waiting: For mild cases, your doctor may recommend regular follow-up visits to see if the ductus closes spontaneously.

4. Daily care and precautions

Feeding management: When feeding premature infants, it is important to feed them in small amounts and multiple times to avoid overfeeding, which increases the burden on the heart.

Infection prevention: Keep the environment clean, avoid contact with sources of infection, and reduce the risk of respiratory infections.

Regular follow-up: Regular cardiac ultrasound examinations are performed to monitor ductal closure and cardiac function.

The severity of patent ductus arteriosus in premature newborns varies from person to person. Mild cases may not require intervention, but moderate to severe cases require prompt treatment to avoid complications. Parents should pay close attention to the symptoms of their children and cooperate with doctors for standardized treatment and care to ensure the healthy growth of their children.