Randomized Trial of Prolonged Low-Dose Versus Conventional-Dose Indomethacin for Treating Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
- 1 August 2003
- journal article
- clinical trial
- Published by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in PEDIATRICS
- Vol. 112 (2), 345-350
- https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.112.2.345
Abstract
Objective. Indomethacin is used for closing the patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants. Prolonged low-dose indomethacin given over 6 days could potentially improve closure rates because ductal constriction is maintained long enough for more effective anatomic closure. We compared the efficacy of this regimen to conventional dosing in a cohort of very low birth weight infants. Methods. In a 2-arm clinical trial, 140 infants were randomized to either conventional dose (0.2 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours for 3 doses) or prolonged low-dose indomethacin (0.1 mg/kg/dose daily for 6 doses). The primary outcome measure was ductal closure rate, and the secondary outcomes were the need for a second course of treatment, surgical ligation rates, and side effects. Results. Ductal closure after 1 course of indomethacin was similar between the 2 groups: 68% for the conventional dose group and 72% for the prolonged low dose (mean difference −4%; 95% confidence interval: −19% to 11%). The incidence of transient oliguria was higher in the conventional dose group, 31% versus 9%. There was a trend toward more necrotizing enterocolitis in the prolonged low-dose group, 7.0% versus 1.4%. Conclusions. There was no difference in efficacy between the 2 dosing regimens. In view of this and with its higher incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, we do not recommend using prolonged low-dose indomethacin for closing the patent ductus arteriosus in very low birth weight infants.Keywords
This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit:
- Combined Prostaglandin and Nitric Oxide Inhibition Produces Anatomic Remodeling and Closure of the Ductus Arteriosus in the Premature Newborn BaboonPediatric Research, 2001
- Long-Term Effects of Indomethacin Prophylaxis in Extremely-Low-Birth-Weight InfantsNew England Journal of Medicine, 2001
- Renal follow up of premature infants with and without perinatal indomethacin exposureArchives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal & Neonatal, 2001
- Recommendations for the postnatal use of indomethacin: An analysis of four separate treatment strategiesThe Journal of Pediatrics, 1996
- Early echocardiographic prediction of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants undergoing mechanical ventilationThe Journal of Pediatrics, 1995
- Intravenous Indomethacin therapy in preterm neonates with patent ductus arteriosusJournal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 1991
- Prolonged low dose indomethacin for persistent ductus arteriosus of prematurity.Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1991
- Prolonged indomethacin therapy for the prevention of recurrences of patent ductus arteriosusThe Journal of Pediatrics, 1990
- Early administration of indomethacin to preterm infants.Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1986
- Effects of indomethacin in premature infants with patent ductus arteriosus: Results of a national collaborative studyThe Journal of Pediatrics, 1983