What Is The Prognosis For Patent Ductus Arteriosus & Lifestyle Changes For It?

Ductus arteriosus closing on their own is rare in babies older than 3 months however there is 72-75% of chances in premature infants younger than 11-13 weeks.¹

Approximately 28% of infants developing patent ductus arteriosus are treated conventionally with medicines and medical studies show a 94% closure rate.²

You can lower the risk of congenital heart disease by following a healthy lifestyle by knowing and controlling blood pressure during pregnancy.³

When the patent ductus arteriosus closure occurs normally it reduces the risk of endocarditis (inflammation of the endocardium due to the infection in the lining of the heart), hypertension of the pulmonary artery, and morbidity in rare cases. Ductus arteriosus closing on their own is uncommon in infants older than 12 weeks however there is 72-75% of chances in preterm babies in the age group 10-13 weeks.

Nevertheless, closing the ductus will not reverse the damage caused due to this condition such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, cardiovascular diseases, and calcium deposits that occurred as a result of this non-closure.¹

Your child’s doctor will recommend antibiotics for nearly 6 months following the closure procedure to check if there is any residual effect. Medical studies demonstrate that the prognosis of Patent Ductus Arteriosus is excellent in infants where they have only patent ductus arteriosus problem and not any associated congenital cardiovascular problems. They eat and grow normally as soon as it is closed. They may not be restricted from any physical activities as they age. However, you need to check with your healthcare provider if they require follow-ups.

Nearly 25-30% of babies identified with patent ductus arteriosus are treated conventionally with medicines and clinical theories state a successful 94% closure rate

Your child’s pediatrician may examine at regular intervals to diagnose uncommon problems. Most patients do not require medicines or additional surgery. Premature infants who developed potential patent ductus arteriosus may experience bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the later stages.

Therefore, patients with repaired patent ductus arteriosus should remain under the care of the cardiologist to check periodically for congestive heart problems.²

Patent ductus arteriosus is a birth defect unfortunately the cause of the condition is not known. However most congenital heart diseases can be prevented, or the risk can be decreased by knowing and controlling the blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. It is often important to follow a healthy lifestyle

No Smoking – Smoking will worsen the damage and cause the heart to beat faster. The blood vessel that is damaged may result in potential heart failure.

Maintain A Healthy Weight – Increased weight can cause high blood pressure which is a risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and cardiac death. Overweight leads to hypertension and enlarged left ventricles increasing the risk of heart failure.

Physical Inactivity – Lack of physical activity has the highest impact on weight with congestive heart problems. The latest scientific studies show women have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular problems when you lack physical activity after age 30.³

Patent Ductus Arteriosus is a common fetal artery problem that occurs at the time of birth. Ductus arteriosus is the artery that connects the main body artery and the main lung artery allowing the normal flow of blood from the lungs to other parts of the body.

Normally babies are born with ductus arteriosus, so they no longer need the opening to breathe therefore it shrinks and closes on its own.

However, in some instances, the ductus remains open. Failure of ductus to close is highly noticed in preterm infants. The exact cause of this problem remains unknown.

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Also Read:

• How To Diagnose Patent Ductus Arteriosus & What Is The Best Medicine For It?
• What Are The First Symptoms Of Patent Ductus Arteriosus & How Do You Test For It?
• What Does The Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Connect? What Leads To It & Can It Be Cured?