Finland | A randomized, double-blind trial conducted by the University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital reveals that early administration of paracetamol accelerates the closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely preterm neonates. PDA is a common condition where the fetal blood vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery fails to close naturally after birth, increasing mortality risks in vulnerable infants.The study, published in Neonatology, tracked 40 newborns born before 28 weeks of gestation or weighing under one kilogram. Half of the cohort received a nine-day regimen of low-dose intravenous paracetamol starting shortly after birth, while the remaining half received a placebo. Echocardiography monitoring showed that the median time to ductal closure was just three days in the paracetamol group, compared to 14 days in the placebo group. Overall, closure was achieved in 75% of the paracetamol group versus 35% of the placebo group, with no differences in adverse events. While promising, researchers note that larger multi-center trials are required before updating clinical guidelines.
Source: University of Oulu
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