Who Is At Risk for Patent Ductus Arteriosus?

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a relatively common congenital heart defect in the United States.

The condition occurs more often in premature infants (on average, occurring in about 8 of every 1,000 births). However, PDA also occurs in full-term infants (on average, occurring in about 2 of every 1,000 births).

PDA also is more common in:

• Infants who have genetic conditions such as Down syndrome
• Infants whose mothers had German measles (rubella) during pregnancy

PDA is twice as common in girls as it is in boys.