Abstract
PDA is common among premature neonates, especially those <1500gms. In vitro, room light inhibits contraction of immature piglet's ductal rings. Since phototherapy is used frequently on the first days of life, we compared the occurrence of PDA among prematures exposed to this intense light source with those whose chests were shielded. Sixty babies with IRDS were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (chest shielded with aluminum foil while on phototherapy-30 babies) or control group (no shield-30 babies). All were on radiant warmers, received mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress syndrome, and phototherapy (Air Shields Model #PTU 78–1) from day 1 of life. Irradiance was maintained at > 4.0uW/cm2/nn in all cases.
The significant reduction of PDA with shielding (p< 0.035) suggests that phototherapy is a factor that may play a role in the occurrence of PDA in prematures. Shielding may be a practical method to decrease this common complication should this initial observation be confirmed.
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Rosenfeld, W., Jhaveri, R., Brunot, V. et al. 132 EFFECT OF CHEST SHIELDING DURING PHOTOTHERAPY ON THE INCIDENCE OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS (PDA) IN PREMATURE INFANTS. Pediatr Res 19, 132 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00162
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00162
