Background and Aim Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a frequent problem in preterms known to have significant effects on organ perfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference between cerebral and abdominal tissue oxygenation index (TOI) measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) before and after treatment of hemodynamically significant PDA in preterm newborns.

Methods Cerebral and abdominal TOI were recorded by NIRS (NIRO 200 Hamamatsu, Japan) in preterm newborns with hemodynamically significant PDA requiring ibuprofen treatment. Newborns with congenital anomalies were excluded. 20 minute recordings were obtained before treatment and after documented ductal closure by echocardiography as well as real time oxygen saturation (SaO₂) monitoring by pulse oxymetry. Fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE) was calculated using TOI and SaO₂.

Results Fourteen newborns were included, abdominal recordings were available in 13. Mean BW and GA were 1089 g and 29 weeks respectively. No change was observed in cerebral or abdominal tissue oxygenation and oxygen extraction before and after medical closure of PDA. Pre and posttreatment cerebral TOI values (median and range) were 67.17 (50.9–89.1) and 64.35 (54.9–87.4) P=0.3, and pre and posttreatment cerebral FTOE values were 0.3 (0.03–0.45) and 0.29 (0.05–0.42)p=0.09 respectively. Pre and postreatment abdominal TOI values were (median and range) 53.9 (40.1–62.9) and 50.29 (39.2–78.5) P=0.7, pre and posttreatment abdominal FTOE values were 0.44 (0.32–0.59) and 0.46 (0.2–0.6) p=0.8 respectively.

Conclusion Results of this small group may suggest that cerebral and abdominal tissue oxygenation is preserved during hemodynamically significant PDA, however more detailed studies are warranted.