The pharmacological treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome: oral ibuprofen vs. indomethacin

Oral ibuprofen versus intravenous indomethacin for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in very low birth weight infants

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects and complications of pharmacologic closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by intravenous indomethacin or oral ibuprofen in neonates weighing <1500 g at birth [very low birth weight (VLBW) infants].

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of infants treated with intravenous indomethacin (0.2 mg/kg initially followed by two doses at 24-hour intervals) or oral ibuprofen (10 mg/kg initially followed an interval of 24 hours by two doses of 5 mg/kg) for symptomatic PDA in a neonatal intensive care unit at a medical center in Taiwan during the period of January 2005 to December 2010.

RESULTS

A total of 88 infants received indomethacin and 52 received oral ibuprofen. Among the survivors, the closure rate without surgical ductal ligation was 70.5% (62/88) in the indomethacin group and 61.5% (32/52) in the ibuprofen group (p = 0.342). The incidence rates of oliguria and elevated serum creatinine were significantly lower in the ibuprofen group (p =0.002 and p =0.022, respectively). There was no significant difference in incidence of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage or necrotizing enterocolitis between the ibuprofen and indomethacin groups (17.3% versus 23.9%; 3.8% versus 11.3%).

CONCLUSION

In infants with VLBW, oral ibuprofen is as effective as intravenous indomethacin for closure of PDA and is associated with significantly fewer cases of necrotizing enterocolitis among infants with birth body weights <1250 g and significantly lower rates of elevated creatinine levels among neonates with birth body weights ranging from 1000 to 1500 g.

Efficacy and safety of oral versus intravenous ibuprofen in very low birth weight preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus

OBJECTIVE

To compare oral ibuprofen with intravenous ibuprofen for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

In a prospective, randomized study, 102 VLBW preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus received either intravenous or oral ibuprofen at an initial dose of 10 mg/kg, followed by 5 mg/kg at 24 and 48 hours. The success rate and evaluation of renal tolerance using cystatin-C were the major outcomes.

RESULTS

Patent ductus arteriosus closure rate was significantly higher with oral ibuprofen (84.6% versus 62%) after the first course of the treatment (P = .011). The cystatin-C level increased significantly after treatment in the oral group (P = .001), but did not change with intravenous ibuprofen (P = .4).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral ibuprofen is more effective than intravenous ibuprofen for ductal closure in VLBW infants. The increase in the cystatin-C level with oral treatment suggests that patients with borderline renal function should be evaluated and followed closely.