Overview
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart condition in babies. It happens when a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus doesn’t close as it should after birth.
What does the ductus arteriosus do?
During fetal development (before a baby is born), very little blood flows to a baby’s lungs. Instead, most of the blood bypasses the baby’s lungs. One way for this to happen is that blood flows from the main heart artery (aorta) to the primary lung artery (pulmonary arteries) through a special fetal blood vessel (ductus arteriosus). This blood vessel usually closes during the baby’s first few days of life when the blood flows to the baby’s lungs.
What happens in babies with patent ductus arteriosus?
When a baby has a PDA, the ductus arteriosus doesn’t close properly. A small opening is left. The opening allows extra blood from the aorta to enter the baby’s lung arteries. Depending on the size of this blood vessel, your baby’s heart and lungs may have to work harder to pump blood.
Who does PDA affect?
Babies born prematurely are more likely to have a PDA. The condition is also more common in girls than boys.
How common is PDA?
Patent ductus arteriosus is the most common heart condition in newborns. Healthcare providers diagnose the condition more often in premature babies. The risk increases the earlier the baby is born. PDA happens in about:
- 10% of babies born between 30 and 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- 80% of babies born between 25 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.
- 90% of babies born earlier than 24 weeks of pregnancy.
How does PDA affect my baby?
A moderate or large PDA can cause babies to breathe faster and harder than normal, as their bodies try to keep up with the extra blood in their lung arteries. If left untreated for a prolonged period, a PDA can lead to the development of pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) and blood vessel damage.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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