Who gets patent ductus arteriosus treatment?

Anyone may need it: Patent ductus arteriosus (pda) is a normal fetal anatomic connection between the pulmonary artery and aorta that allows blood to bypass the lungs. Because fetuses don't use their lungs to exchange co2 and oxygen (due to a placenta), they do not require much blood flow to the lungs. The PDA normally closes soon after birth as babies start breathing, but can remain open in any infant (esp. Premies).

If needed: This is a natural bypass circuit that redirects most of the blood flow to the body rather than the developing lungs (which are not being used).After birth the rising blood oxygen level leads to closure in most.If it fails to close it can severely hamper a premi's progress, and might be "fixed" very early. In those who retain a PDA but are growing normally, we like to close it by school age.