[Patency of foramen ovale in fullterm and preterm neonates. A follow-up study]

The aim of our study was evaluate the clinical outcome of PFO without associated congenital heart disease, in the 1st year of life, in a consecutive series of preterm vs term infants. Out of 178 infants, 83 F/94 M, 49% born preterm, with echo diagnosis of PFO (< 5 mm) by 1 month of age, 122 were controlled at 3 mo, 67 at 6 mo and 30 at 12 mo distance. 23 (12%) had an associated PDA, 11 preterm (6 G.A. <32 w). Closure at f-u GA > 38 > 32 < 38 < 32 3mo 38/122 31% 24/66 35% 11/42 26% 3/14 22% 6mo 38/67 57% 20/35 57% 13/25 52% 5/7 71% 12 m 11/30 37% 5/13 38% 5/15 33% 1/2 50% PFO diameter slightly increased in 2 out of 122 (ga. > 38 w), remained so in 6, and decreased in 108. Only 3/33 children whose PFO was closed at 3rd month control were. <32 wGA. No one was hemodynamically significant. In all right ventricular prevalence both at ECG and Echo normalized by 3 mo of age: 21/23 PDA spontaneously closed by the following control before PFO closure. Our data show that: (1) PFO has no clinical relevance even in the WLGA newborn; (2) Inverse correlation between GA and early closure; (3) PDA was'nt predictive for early closure; (4) Spontaneous closure of ductus was always earlier the the FOP's one. Our data support that even in preterm infants PFO is benign and there is no need for an emotionally expensive and time losing follow-up.