Oral versus intravenous paracetamol: which is better in closure of patent ductus arteriosus in very low birth weight infants?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To compare the efficacy of oral and intravenous paracetamol for closure of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (HSPDA) in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants.

METHODS:

Eighteen VLBW infants with HSPDA treated with either intravenous (n = 10) or oral (n = 8) paracetamol at 60 mg/kg/d for three consecutive days were analysed retrospectively. Ductal closure rate and evaluation of liver function tests were the major outcomes.

RESULTS:

After two courses of treatment, HSPDA closure rate was higher in oral paracetamol group than that in the intravenous paracetamol group (88% versus 70%), but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.588). Liver function tests were normal after the treatment.

CONCLUSION:

Although it was not statistically significant, the cumulative closure rates were higher in oral paracetamol group than those in the intravenous group. Larger trials are needed to confirm these data.

• Authors: Selim Sancak, Tulin Gokmen Yildirim, Sevilay Topcuoglu, Taner Yavuz, Guner Karatekin, Fahri Ovali
• Journal: The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians (J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med) Vol. 29 Issue 1 Pg. 135-9 ( 2016) ISSN: 1476-4954 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25471090 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
• Acetaminophen

Topics

• Acetaminophen (administration & dosage)
• Administration, Intravenous
• Administration, Oral
• Analgesics, Non-Narcotic (administration & dosage)
• Ductus Arteriosus, Patent (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
• Male
• Retrospective Studies