The effects of intravenous paracetamol use on blood parameters in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus

Abstract

Aim: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a cause of significant hemodynamic imbalance in newborn babies, can be treated using pharmacological or surgical methods. The purpose of this study was to compare intravenous (IV) paracetamol in newborns with hemodynamically significant PDA, with indomethacin and ibuprofen in terms of changes caused in blood parameters. Methods: Intravenous paracetamol was used for 3-6 days at 4x15 mg/kg/dose in cases diagnosed with PDA and admitted for follow-up between November 2014 and December 2015, and unable to receive oral medication or with contraindications for indomethacin-ibuprofen use. These cases were investigated retrospectively in terms of changes in pre and post-treatment AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), urea, creatinine, platelet, and neutrophil values. Results: Intravenous paracetamol was administered to 10 cases of PDA, diagnosed between November 2014 and December 2015. Prior to paracetamol therapy, an increase in urea values was present in one case, increased AST in two, and decreased platelet values in two. Post-treatment values returned to normal ranges in all cases, and hemodynamic improvement was observed after the closure of the ductus arteriosus. Conclusion: Our analysis of its effect on PDA closure and its potential side-effect profile in patient blood parameters compared to other known therapeutic agents indicates that intravenous paracetamol, which is easily available and accessible in Turkey, may be an important option for the treatment of PDA.

Keywords

• Patent ductus arteriosus
• paracetamol
• blood parameter
• preterm
• treatment