Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart problem that occurs soon after birth. It is characterised by abnormal blood flow between two of the major arteries (the aorta and the pulmonary artery) that are connected to the heart. Within minutes or up to a few days after birth, the vessel is supposed to close as part of the normal changes occurring in the baby's circulation.
In some cases, the ductus arteriosus remains open (patent) which allows oxygen-rich blood from the aorta to mix with oxygen-poor blood from the pulmonary artery. This can put strain on the heart and increase blood pressure in the lung arteries.
Most children are healthy and live normal lives after treatment for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). If your child was an infant when disorder struck, he or she will likely have normal activity levels, appetite, and growth after PDA treatment, as long as there are no other congenital heart defects. In a pre-term baby, the outlook after PDA treatment depends on a certain factors. These are how early he/she was born, whether he/she has other illnesses or conditions.
Those with the heart condition are at slightly increased risk for infective endocarditis (IE). IE is an infection of the lining of the heart, valves, or arteries. For this, your child's doctor will discuss with you whether your child needs antibiotics before certain medical procedures to prevent IE.
Read more articles on Patent Ductus Arteriosus.
The cause of patent ductus arteriosus isn't known. Genetics may play a role in causing the condition.read more
After birth, the baby is no longer connected to the mother's bloodstream. The baby's blood must now go to his or her own lungs to get oxygen.read more