Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2025
Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography
Published on: January 27, 2023
Effect of phototherapy on the ductus arteriosus diameter in extremely premature infants: A randomised controlled
Davut Bozkaya1, Evrim Alyamaç Dizdar1, Ömer Ertekin1
1Division of Neonatology, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Shielding infants during phototherapy (PT) significantly reduced the severity of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This protective measure lowered the incidence of hemodynamically significant PDA in premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Neonatal Intensive Care
Background:
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a frequent complication in preterm infants (<1000g), linked to increased mortality and morbidity.
- Phototherapy (PT) is a standard treatment for jaundice in premature infants.
- Previous studies on the relationship between PT and PDA have yielded inconclusive results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of phototherapy on PDA parameters in premature infants.
- To assess the effect of shielding during phototherapy on PDA development.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, randomized, double-blind study involving 83 infants (<1000g, <30 weeks gestation).
- Infants were divided into shielded and non-shielded groups during phototherapy.
- Doppler echocardiography was used to evaluate PDA parameters before and after phototherapy.
Main Results:
- The shielded group showed a significant decrease in hemodynamically significant PDA (hs-PDA) and left atrial/aortic root ratio.
- The need for PDA treatment was significantly lower in the shielded group.
- Phototherapy duration was comparable between groups.
Conclusions:
- Shielding during phototherapy effectively reduces the incidence and severity of hs-PDA in extremely premature infants.
- This intervention may mitigate a significant complication associated with neonatal care.
Abstract:
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common complication among preterm infants (especially birth weight < 1000 g) and is closely associated with mortality and morbidity. Phototherapy (PT) is frequently used in the treatment of jaundice in premature infants in the first week of life. The relationship between PT and PDA has been investigated in a small number of studies but has not been fully elucidated because the studies had varying results.
Aim:
To examine the effect of PT on parameter (DA diameter, left atrial/aortic root ratio) in premature infants.
Methods:
The study was planned as a prospective, randomised, double-blind study. A total of 83 infants <1000 g and < 30 weeks of gestation were included, and they were divided into two groups: the non-shielded and shielded groups. The babies included in the study were evaluated with a Doppler echocardiogram before and after PT.
Results:
The hemodynamically significant PDA (hs-PDA) and left atrial/aortic root ratio significantly decreased in the shielded group, and the need for treatment due to PDA was significantly lower. The PT times of both groups were similar.
Conclusion:
Shielding application decreases the rate and severity of hs-PDA in extremely premature babies receiving PT.
