Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Perinatal Risk Factors

Infants presenting PDA (100; 31.4%) had a lower mean BW ( 914,19 versus 1257,44 grams; p<0.001) and a lower mean GA (27.06 versus 29.77 weeks; p<0.0001). Using univariate logistic regression, both lower BW [OR: 0.99; CI (95%): 0.995-0.997] and lower GA [OR: 0.68; CI (95%): 0.61-0.75] were important risk factors for PDA. Other factors increasing the risk of PDA were: lower Apgar scores at one [OR: 0.77; CI (95%): 0.68-0.86] and five minutes [OR:0.73;CI (95%): 0.62-0.86]; need for resuscitation in the delivery room [OR: 13.1;CI(95%):3.11-55.1]; surfactant administration [OR:8.12;CI(95%):4.13-15.95]; higher CRIB score [OR:1.17;CI(95%): 1.11-1.24], and higher SNAPPEII score [OR: 1.03; CI (95%): 1.02-1.04]. The logistic multivariate regression model using all these variables identified BW [OR: 0.997; CI (95%): 0.9960.998] and surfactant treatment [OR: 3.99; CI (95%): 1.903-8.386] as the only risk factors contributing with statistical significance. The analysis of the ROC curve showed a predictive positive value of 82%. Discussion: The most important risk factors were the use of surfactant and BW, the latter increasing by 23%, the risk of PDA for fewer 100 grams. Although surfactant treatment leads to improved respiratory outcomes and survival in VLBW infants, it increased the risk of PDA by an almost fourfold.