To determine the relationship of
phototherapy and
patent ductus arteriosus, we analyzed prospectively collected data on 295 infants with
birth weight of 501 to 999 gm admitted from 1984 through 1988. Seventy-four percent were evaluated by an imaging study to aid in the detection of a silent
patent ductus arteriosus. Overall incidence of
patent ductus arteriosus in the study population was 63%. Infants who received
phototherapy (n = 128) had an increased incidence of
patent ductus arteriosus compared with those who did not receive
phototherapy (76% vs 53%). There was an association of
patent ductus arteriosus and
phototherapy (p < 0.05) when we analyzed the data with a stepwise regression model that controlled for the effects of gestational age,
birth weight, gender, race, diagnosis of
hyaline membrane disease,
mechanical ventilation,
patent ductus arteriosus imaging studies, prophylactic
indomethacin, peak total and indirect
bilirubin values, and the occurrence of abnormal serum
sodium values. We conclude that the use of
phototherapy is associated with an increased incidence of
patent ductus arteriosus in extremely low birth weight infants.