Effects of intravenous indomethacin on reduction of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus cases and decreasing the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Introduction: We decided to investigate the effects of injecting Indomethacin on reducing complications of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) and the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Methods: During this randomized clinical trial, 70 premature infants with matched gestational age and birth weight were divided into case and control groups. In the study group, intravenous indomethacin started from the first 2-12 hours of birth. All patients were followed by echocardiography at the fourth day and skull ultrasound in the second week.

Results: Symptomatic PDA rate was significantly higher in the control group (25.7% vs. 0%; P≤0.001). Incidence of grade 1-3 intraventricular hemorrhage was higher in the control group and the ratio of needed time for respiratory support in the control group to the case group was approximately 2.1.

Conclusion: Intravenous Indomethacin reduced the number of PDA cases and incidence of grade 2 and 3 intraventricular hemorrhage, without any short term side effects.