Published On: 14 Aug, 2024 12:48 PM | Updated On: 14 Aug, 2024 1:05 PM

Acetaminophen for Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Risk of Mortality and Pulmonary Morbidity

There is a rising concern that acetaminophen may adversely affect lung health. Hence, the present retrospective study examined if acetaminophen, compared with cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor alone for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), increases the mortality or respiratory morbidity risk in extremely preterm infants.

The study observed

  • Of 1921 infants, 32.6% received acetaminophen, and 67.3% received COX inhibitor only. 
  • Multidrug therapy (42.9% vs. 4.7%) and surgical or catheter PDA closure (26.5% vs. 19.9%) were more common among acetaminophen-exposed infants. 
  • Death or grade 2 to 3 bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age was similar between infants treated with acetaminophen versus COX inhibitor only (57.1% vs 58.3%).
  • Acetaminophen had an increased risk of predischarge mortality (13.3% vs 10.0%) after adjusting for perinatal and early postnatal factors but not after considering later postnatal factors.

This study shows that treatment with acetaminophen versus COX inhibitor alone for PDA does not increase the composite outcome of death or BPD in extremely preterm infants. There is a need for further evaluation of whether acetaminophen for PDA increases mortality.

Jensen EA, DeMauro SB, Rysavy MA, et al. Acetaminophen for Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Risk of Mortality and Pulmonary Morbidity. 2024;154(2).

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