Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Patent Ductus Arteriosus?
A baby's regular health care provider often spots a patent ductus arteriosus first. A cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in heart diseases, usually provides follow-up care. A surgeon may repair the problem if medicine does not work. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a patent ductus arteriosus?
Patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, is a heart condition in babies. The word "patent" means open. The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel that lets blood go around a baby's lungs before birth.
After birth, the lungs fill with air and the vessel is no longer needed. It most often closes in a couple of days. If it stays open, it is called a PDA. Blood then flows between the two major blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs and to the rest of the body in a way that is not normal.
Doctors group PDA with simple heart defects, which are heart problems that a baby is born with.
Symptoms
A small PDA may not cause any symptoms. Some babies have these signs:
- Fast breathing and shortness of breath.
- Poor feeding and sweating while feeding.
- A rapid pulse, which is a fast heartbeat.
- Tiring very easily and poor growth.
Babies with PDA often have a heart murmur, which is an unusual sound between heartbeats. A provider can hear it with a stethoscope.
Causes and who gets it
PDA is more common in girls than in boys. It is also more common in premature babies, who are born too early, and in babies with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, a breathing problem in newborns.
Babies with genetic disorders such as Down syndrome have a higher risk. So do babies whose mothers had rubella, a viral infection, during pregnancy. PDA is also common in babies with other heart problems, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, transposition of the great vessels, and pulmonary stenosis.
How doctors diagnose it
A provider may suspect PDA if a baby has breathing or feeding problems soon after birth. In premature babies, a murmur may not be heard. A chest x-ray may show changes.
An echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound picture of the heart, confirms the diagnosis. Sometimes a small PDA is not found until later in childhood.
Treatment
Sometimes a PDA closes on its own. In premature babies, it often closes within the first 2 years of life. In full-term babies, a PDA that is still open after the first several weeks rarely closes on its own.
When treatment is needed, medicines such as indomethacin or ibuprofen are often the first choice. The earlier treatment is given, the more likely it is to work. In premature babies, acetaminophen is sometimes used too.
Some babies have other heart defects. For them, keeping the vessel open can save a life. A medicine called prostaglandin E1 may be used to keep it open until the other defects are treated.
If medicine does not work, the baby may need a procedure. In a transcatheter device closure, a doctor passes a small metal coil or other blocking device through a thin, hollow tube. This blocks blood flow through the vessel and can help the baby avoid surgery.
Surgery may be needed if the catheter procedure does not work or cannot be used. The surgeon makes a small cut between the ribs to repair the PDA.
When to see a doctor
Breathing and feeding problems in a baby can sometimes be caused by a PDA that has not been found yet. Tell your baby's provider if your baby has these problems.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your child has bluish or gray skin, passes out, or has severe trouble breathing.
Children with heart defects need regular follow-up care from a cardiologist, even if the defect was repaired.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can review your child's symptoms, help you keep track of follow-up visits, and coordinate care with a cardiologist.
Common questions
Does a patent ductus arteriosus close on its own?
Sometimes it does. In premature babies, a PDA often closes within the first 2 years of life. In full-term babies, a PDA that is still open after the first several weeks rarely closes on its own.
What happens if a patent ductus arteriosus is not treated?
If a PDA is not treated, a small one that stays open may eventually cause heart symptoms. A larger PDA could lead to heart failure, high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, or an infection of the inner lining of the heart.
Does a patent ductus arteriosus always need surgery?
No. Medicine is often the first choice, and a catheter procedure can help a baby avoid surgery. Surgery may be needed if the catheter procedure does not work or cannot be used.
Can a patent ductus arteriosus be prevented?
Some steps before and during pregnancy can lower the risk of heart defects. Women who plan to become pregnant should get a rubella shot if they are not already immune. During pregnancy, avoid alcohol and illegal drugs, and tell your provider that you are pregnant before taking any new medicine.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Patent ductus arteriosus
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Congenital Heart Defects: Treatment
- MedlinePlus - Congenital Heart Disease
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
