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Comparison of the efficacy of ibuprofen and indomethacin in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in prematurely born infants

Adamska E, Helwich E, Rutkowska M, Zacharska E, Piotrowska A

Medycyna wieku rozwojowego, 2005

35 participants

Abstract

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of early treatment with ibuprofen (IBU) and indomethacin (INDO) of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants. Prospective study with blind trial.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 35 preterm infants (19 treated with INDO, 16 IBU) (gestation age <33 and birth weight < 1500 g), who had an echocardiographicaly confirmed patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The infants were randomly assigned in two groups to receive INDO (0.2-0.2-0.2 mg/kg) or IBU (10-5-5 mg/kg) in first 72 hours of life (average 2 days of life). The rate of ductal closure, the need for surgical ligation, side effects, complications, and the infants clinical course were recorded.

RESULTS: The rate of ductal closure was similar in two groups (15/19, 80% INDO; 11/16, 69% IBU). 27 infants (15 INDO, 12 IBU) were treated per protocol (3 doses). For remaining 8 infants we stopped treatment due to side effects. In the IBU group the main reason to stop treatment was pulmonary hemorrhage (3/16, 19%) and pulmonary hypertension (1/16, 6%), but in the INDO group it was increased serum creatinine and urea nitrogen concentrations (3/19, 16%) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH IV) grade (1/19 5%). In IBU group vs. INDO, urine output decreased (p=0.02), but never before below the level of oliguria (defined as urine output below 1 ml/kg/h). Risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) grade II was similar in two groups, but only patients treated with INDO showed intestinal perforations (p=ns).…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 35 participants or records.

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