The relationship of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus to respiratory distress in premature newborn infants.

When left-to-right shunting through the ductus arteriosus contributes to respiratory distress of the newborn premature infant, the condition is termed generally as symptomatic PDA. The physiologic setting of this condition and its definition are considered first in this article. Subsequent sections detail the incidence of symptomatic PDA and predisposing risk factors, followed by a discussion of its clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management.