Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension after Ibuprofen Treatment for Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Objective: To describe the clinical course and risk factors for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) after ibuprofen treatment to close patent ductus arteriosus.

Study design: All neonates weighing < 1500 g at birth who received ibuprofen to close patent ductus arteriosus and were admitted to Seoul National University Children's Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit in 2010-2014 were eligible for this study. The study population was divided into the PAH and non-PAH groups, and medical records were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Of the 144 eligible infants, 10 developed PAH (6.9%). Relative to the non-PAH group, the PAH group exhibited greater respiratory severity and more frequent severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death before 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that lower gestational age, birth weight in less than the third percentile for age, maternal hypertension of pregnancy, and oligohydramnios were risk factors for developing PAH after ibuprofen treatment.

Conclusion: A high incidence of PAH after ibuprofen treatment was observed in the study population. Furthermore, younger gestational age and several prenatal conditions were identified as risk factors for developing PAH after ibuprofen treatment. Additional large cohort studies are necessary to confirm our results.