Asymmetrical pulmonary changes in premature infants with surgical closure of a persistent ductus arteriosus

The chest radiographs of 57 premature infants admitted consecutively with hyaline membrane disease and receiving respirator therapy were reviewed, comparing right and left pulmonary abnormalities. Fifteen infants (Group I) did not develop a persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Forty-two infants developed a PDA, which was successfully treated with indomethacin in 17 infants (Group II), while in 25 infants (Group III) the ductus was closed surgically. Analysis of the three groups showed that infants who had undergone surgical closure of their PDA developed significantly more asymmetrical broncho-pulmonary damage. Statistically significant fewer radiological findings of broncho-pulmonary damage were found on the left side in comparison with the right side in the group treated surgically.