The chance of spontaneous patent ductus arteriosus closure in preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation is high and continues to increase until 5 years of follow-up

Aim The primary aim was to estimate premature infants' spontaneous patent ductus arteriosus closure rate. Secondly, to identify criteria associated with the chance of spontaneous closure. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of 167 infants born before 32 weeks of gestation and diagnosed with a patent ductus arteriosus between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2017. The spontaneous patent ductus arteriosus closure event rate was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Results The spontaneous closure rate within the first year of life was 66% (95% CI 58%-73%), increasing to 80% (95% CI 72%-86%) five years after birth. When including both spontaneous closure and closure following treatment, 96% (95% CI 86%-100%) closed within 5 years after birth. The chance of spontaneous closure was reduced in the case of a large patent ductus arteriosus: OR 0.16 (95% CI 0.05-0.52), left atrial enlargement: OR 0.16 (95% CI 0.05-0.51), and pulmonary hypertension: OR 0.23 (95% CI 0.07-0.74). Conclusion The chance of spontaneous closure in premature infants born between 23 and 32 weeks of gestation was high, and the incidence continued increasing until 5 years of follow-up.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to estimate the spontaneous closure rate of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants and identify the criteria associated with the chance of spontaneous closure. The results showed a high rate of spontaneous closure in premature infants, with the incidence continuing to increase during a 5-year follow-up period.