Intrauterine growth retardation and patent ductus arteriosus

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Infants with intrauterine growth retardation are at risk for increased morbidity and mortality. A hemodynamically important patent ductus arteriosus may contribute to this increased risk. In this issue of The Journal, Rakza et al report on the reults of ductal flow early after birth in infants with and without intrauterine growth retardation. They found increased evidence of flow through the ductus arteriosus early after birth in infants with growth restriction compared with those with normal growth. These results suggest that infants with growth restriction should have early echocardiographic monitoring to assess the presence of a hemodynamically important patent ductus arteriosus.