Variation Of Ductus Arteriosus Treatment In Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Background Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has long been recognized as a common neonatal condition, especially affecting very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Although treatment is common, evidence to guide clinical management is limited. This study utilized a large US multicenter cohort of VLBW infants to describe PDA treatment variation by neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) classification. Study Hypothesis Clinical management of PDA in VLBW infants varies widely among US health care centers contributing to treatment heterogeneity. Methods Data were prospectively collected through Vermont Oxford Network (VON). The study cohort included 255,720 VLBW infants born 2012-2018 at 793 US health care centers; infants were inborn or admitted to the reporting facility within three days from birth and were never transferred. VLBW was defined as 401-1500g birth weight (BW) or 22-29 weeks gestational …