Prophylactic intravenous indomethacin for preventing mortality and morbidity in preterm infants.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is associated with mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors such as indomethacin promote PDA closure but also have potential side effects. The effect of the prophylactic use of indomethacin, where infants who may not have gone on to develop a symptomatic PDA would be exposed to indomethacin, warrants particular scrutiny. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of prophylactic indomethacin on mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. SEARCH STRATEGY: The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group was used. This included searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (..