Epidemiology

The persistence of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is much more common in preterm than full-term infants.[2] This is secondary to the immaturity of the ductus.[3] Since the advent of echocardiography, the incidence of PDA in children born at full-term has been reported as approximately 1 to 2 per 1000.[4] This estimate is higher than previously thought because it includes clinically silent PDAs.[5] There is globally a higher incidence in females as well as in children born at higher altitudes.[6][7]​​​ In the US, incidence is higher in black children compared with white children.[4]

In premature infants, the incidence is substantially greater. Studies in the US have shown an incidence as high as 20% in premature infants weighing <1750 g and 64% in those weighing <1000 g.[8][9]​​​ In the Republic of Korea, the prevalence of PDA in infants is 81 per 10,000 live births, with the annual prevalence increasing from 70 per 10,000 in 2015 to 94 per 10,000 in 2018, especially in term infants. Very-low-birth-weight infants in the Republic of Korea also had a reported PDA prevalence of 47.25% in 2018 (an increase of 5.6% from 2015).[10]​ Research indicates that socioeconomic disparities can delay the diagnosis of PDA and access to care, which, in turn, affects neurodevelopment outcomes, underscoring the need for addressing these disparities to improve long-term outcomes for affected children.[11]

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