Comparison of acetaminophen with ibuprofen in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in neonates admitted to training hospitals in Khorramabad from 2018 to 2022: A retrospective study

Due to the possible complications of a persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA), the treatment of the PDA will be necessary, depending on the opinion of the treating physician. Medical or surgical treatment can be used in this regard. In recent years, acetaminophen has been considered a medication with fewer potential side effects.  The present study aimed to compare acetaminophen with ibuprofen in the patent ductus arteriosus in neonates admitted to training hospitals in Khorramabad.

A total of 28 neonates were included in this retrospective cohort study. The required data were collected by studying the patients' files. The PDA in newborns was diagnosed by primary echocardiography by the attending physician. Thereafter, 12 and 16 cases were treated with ibuprofen and acetaminophen, respectively. After completing the treatment period on days 3 and 5, the attending physician performed echocardiography to check PDA closure. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 24) using descriptive indices of mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test.

In this study, the frequency of affected male neonates was the same as that of affected female newborns (n=14; 50%). The mean weight scores of neonates in acetaminophen and ibuprofen groups were obtained at 2831/25±918/49 and 2241/5 ±868/9 gr, respectively. All newborns in both groups were treated; thereafter, 23 cases recovered with 3-day treatment and 5 neonates with 5-day treatment. No significant complications were observed in patients.

The effect of acetaminophen on PDA closure was similar to that of ibuprofen. The need for 5-day treatment was higher in the acetaminophen group; nonetheless, no significant side effects were reported in any newborn. According to this study, acetaminophen can be a good alternative to ibuprofen in the treatment of PDA.