International Digest

Ibuprofen to prevent patent ductus arteriosus

Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 155: 428

Source: Varvarigou A, Bardin CL, Beharry K, Chemtob S, Papageorgiou A, Aranda JV. Early ibuprofen administration to prevent patent ductus arteriosus in premature newborn infants. JAMA 1996; 275: 539-44.

Researchers in Montreal treated 34 premature infants (mean gestational age 26.9 weeks) within 3 hours after birth with one dose of ibuprofen (10 mg/kg intravenously), three doses of ibuprofen (10 mg/kg intravenously followed by 5 mg/kg at 24 and 48 hours) or a saline placebo to determine whether ibuprofen therapy could safely prevent persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). PDA developed in none of the infants who received three doses of ibuprofen, in 54.5% of those who received one dose of ibuprofen and in 63.6% of those who received the placebo. Compared with the placebo group, the infants who received three doses of ibuprofen also had significantly better oxygenation and significant reductions in the duration of ventilation and hospitalization. Ibuprofen therapy was not associated with any increase in intraventricular cerebral hemorrhage or with any neurologic, intestinal, renal, hepatic or hematologic complications.

| CMAJ August 15, 1996 (vol 155, no 4) |