Patent ductus arteriosus in the preterm infant: to treat or not to treat?

Pharmacological and/or surgical closure of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in the very preterm infant has been the standard of care over the past few decades. However, the rationale for closure of PDA has recently been challenged. In this article, the factors that have fueled the controversy of the approach to the management of PDA and the gap in our knowledge are reviewed in detail. In addition, the pros and cons of the different treatment strategies applied in clinical care are evaluated with a focus on discussing the available evidence in the literature. Journal of Perinatology (2010) 30, S31-S37; doi: 10.1038/jp.2010.97