Key Points

• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart problem that occurs soon after birth in some babies. In PDA, abnormal blood flow occurs between two of the major arteries connected to the heart (the aorta and the pulmonary artery).
• This happens because a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus doesn't close after birth as it should. When the vessel remains open (patent), it can put strain on the heart and increase blood pressure in the lung arteries.
• The cause of PDA isn't known. Genetics may play a role. PDA can occur in children with otherwise normal hearts or in children born with other heart defects.
• PDA is a relatively common congenital heart defect in the United States. On average, PDA occurs in about 8 of every 1,000 full-term births and about 2 of every 1,000 premature births.
• The condition also is more common in infants who have genetic conditions (such as Down syndrome) and infants whose mothers had German measles (rubella) during pregnancy. PDA is twice as common in girls as in boys.
• A heart murmur (an extra or unusual sound heard during the heartbeat) may be the only sign that a baby or child has PDA. However, not all heart murmurs are signs of PDA, and most murmurs are harmless. Some infants who have PDA may develop signs of volume overload on the heart and excess blood flow in the lungs.
• In full-term infants, PDA usually is first suspected when the baby's doctor hears a heart murmur during a regular checkup. Premature babies who have PDA may not have the same symptoms as full-term babies. Doctors may suspect a PDA in premature babies who develop breathing problems soon after birth.
• Tests can help confirm a diagnosis of PDA. Two painless tests are used: echocardiography and EKG (electrocardiogram).
• PDA is treated with medicines, catheter-based procedures, and surgery. The goal of treatment is to close the PDA to prevent complications and reverse the effects of increased blood volume. Small PDAs often close without treatment.
• Most children are healthy and live normal lives after treatment for a PDA. If your child was born prematurely, the outlook after PDA treatment depends on how early he or she was born and whether he or she has other illnesses or conditions.
• Children who have PDA are at slightly increased risk for infective endocarditis, an infection of the lining of the heart, valves, or arteries. Your child's doctor will discuss with you whether your child needs antibiotics before medical procedures to prevent this infection. Most children who have PDA don't require antibiotics.