Prediction of ductus arteriosus closure by neonatal screening echocardiography

We reported the incidence, clinical manifestations and outcome of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in full-term infants by screening echocardiography.

Total 1230 infants received echocardiographic screening and periodic follow-up. On the third day of life, there were 109 infants with isolated ductus arteriosus aneurysm (DAA), those with persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus (DA) in 26. The DA closed within 48 h in 828 infants, and persisted beyond 48 h in 180. The incidence of PDA in full-term infants was 0.91, 0.83 and 0.66% at 1, 4 and 6 months follow-up, and 0.82, 0.73 and 0.64% if infants with DAA were excluded. Infants with PDA had lower birth body weight (BBW) than those with closed DA (p = 0.02). The DA width on the third day of life ranged from 0.23 to 0.43 cm (0.32+/-0.08 cm) and 0.08 to 0.44 cm (0.16+/-0.06 cm) in infants with or without PDA, respectively, which was significantly different (p < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, predictive positive and negative values were 87.5, 92.5, 36.8 and 99% respectively for the cuff-off point at 0.25 cm of DA width.

Risk factors in infants with PDA included lower BBW and larger measured DA width at the third day of life. We predicted the arterial duct would close if DA width <0.25 cm, and suggested follow up earlier if >0.25 cm on the third day of life.