Background PDA is common among very low birth weight babies. There is however growing controversy regarding treatment and clinicians are uncertain to treat or not to treat a PDA.

Objective To compare mortality and complications of prematurity in the following groups

1. Effect of gestation; babies ≤ 28 weeks & 29–31 weeks

2. Early (< 72 hrs) treatment vs. later symptomatic treatment of a PDA

3. Treatment vs. no treatment of a significant PDA

Methods All babies born < 32 weeks gestation were included in this study. A total of 223 babies met the inclusion criteria from January 2009 to September 2011. Of these 22 were excluded from analysis due to incomplete data. SPSS version 17© was used for data analysis.

Results

1. Babies ≤ 28weeks compared to 29–31weeks gestation had significantly higher PDA (61%vs.23%; p<0.05), Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (40%vs.12%; p<0.05), duration of respiratory support (27days vs. 9days; p<0.05) and mortality (16%vs.0%; p<0.05)

2. Among babies with significant PDA, BPD was significantly reduced with early treatment of a PDA as compared to later symptomatic treatment (66.7%vs.82.3%; p<0.05)

3. There was significantly higher incidence of death among babies not treated for PDA as compared to those who received treatment (29% vs. 0%; p<0.001).

Conclusion

1. Babies born ≤ 28 weeks have higher burden of PDA, mortality and complications of prematurity.

2. Treatment of PDA significantly reduces mortality.

3. Early treatment of PDA significantly reduces BPD compared to later treatment.