Patent ductus arteriosus in infants of low birth weight

Patent ductus arteriosus was diagnosed in 239 neonates of low birth weight (less than 2500 g) referred to the Hospital for Sick Children in a 21/2-year period. The respiratory distress syndrome was present in 77% of the group and congestive heart failure in 50%. Spontaneous closure of the defect was more frequent in those without congestive heart failure. In 48 patients whose heart failure could not be controlled by other medical therapy indomethacin was given, and in 20 (42%) it was judged successful. Surgical ligation of the ductus was performed at a median age of 30 days in 33 infants who either failed to respond to indomethacin or in whom its use was contraindicated; there were no intraoperative deaths, but 11 (33%) of the infants died 4 days to 6 months after the operation.