Evaluation of the association between patent ductus arteriosus approach and neurodevelopment in extremely preterm infants.

Objective: Assess if unit-level PDA management correlates with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 18-24 months corrected postnatal age (CPA) in extremely preterm infants.
Study Design: Retrospective analysis of infants born at <29 weeks (2014-2017) across two units having distinct PDA strategies. Site 1 utilized an echocardiography-based treatment strategy aiming for accelerated closure (control). Site 2 followed a conservative approach.
Primary Endpoint: NDI, characterized by cerebral palsy, any Bayley-III composite score <85, sensorineural/mixed hearing loss, or at least unilateral visual impairment.
Results: 377 infants were evaluated. PDA treatment rates remained unchanged in Site 1 but eventually reached 0% in Site 2. Comparable rates of any/significant NDI were seen across both sites (any NDI: 38% vs 36%; significant NDI: 13% vs 10% for Site 1 and 2, respectively). After adjustments, NDI rates remained similar.
Conclusion: PDA management strategies in extremely preterm newborns showed no significant impact on neurodevelopment outcomes at 18-24 months CPA.
(© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.)