Patent ductus arteriosus epidemiology and demographics
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Associate Editors-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Keri Shafer, M.D. [3]
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Epidemiology and Demographics
The PDA is commonly found in infants, but constitutes only 2% of all congenital defects found in adults. Is an isolated defect in 75% of cases, and is isolated in almost all adult cases.
In the United States, the estimated incidence in children born at term is between 0.02% and 0.06% of live births. This incidence is greater in children who are born prematurely, with a history of perinatal asphyxia, and, possibly, children born at high altitude. Perinatal asphyxia usually only delays the closure of the ductus, and, over time, the ductus typically closes without specific therapy.
Approximately 20% of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome have a PDA. In babies who are less than 1500 g at birth, many studies show the incidence of a PDA to exceed 30%. The increased patency in these groups is thought to be due to both hypoxia in babies with respiratory distress and immature ductal closure mechanisms in premature babies.
The female-to-male ratio is 2:1, and is not associated with other risk factors.
The ductus arteriosus is always patent in the fetus, and normally closes functionally in the first 10-18 hours of life.