Oral versus intravenous paracetamol: which is better in closure of patent ductus arteriosus in very low birth weight infants?

SANCAK S., YILDIRIM T. G. , TOPCUOGLU S., YAVUZ T., KARATEKIN G., Ovali F.

JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE, vol.29, no.1, pp.135-139, 2016 (Peer-Reviewed Journal) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 29 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Doi Number: 10.3109/14767058.2014.989829
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.135-139

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of oral and intravenous paracetamol for closure of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (HSPDA) in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants.Methods: Eighteen VLBW infants with HSPDA treated with either intravenous (n=10) or oral (n=8) paracetamol at 60mg/kg/d for three consecutive days were analysed retrospectively. Ductal closure rate and evaluation of liver function tests were the major outcomes.Results: After two courses of treatment, HSPDA closure rate was higher in oral paracetamol group than that in the intravenous paracetamol group (88% versus 70%), but it was not statistically significant (p=0.588). Liver function tests were normal after the treatment.Conclusion: Although it was not statistically significant, the cumulative closure rates were higher in oral paracetamol group than those in the intravenous group. Larger trials are needed to confirm these data.