Purpose : Indomethacin treatment is successful in about 90% of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) in preterm infants. But, treatment of PDA in full-term infants is not established yet. The object of this study is to compare full-term infants to preterm infants with PDA and to determine the treatment of full-term infants with PDA.

Methods : The 174 neonates, admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Presbyterian medical center from January 2003 to December 2007 were diagnosed of PDA. The comparison full-term to preterm infants with PDA were studied retrospectively.

Results : The treatment group was 36 patients(42.9%) in preterm and 24 patients(26.7%) in full-term. In preterm, closure rate of PDA was significantly higher(88.9% vs 62.5%, P<0.05) than full-term. But in full-term, closure rate was high. In non-treatment group, the age of PDA closure was significantly shorter in full-term(4.2±1.3 days vs 4.9±2.0 days P<0.05). In full-term infants with 2nd cycle-administered(indomethacin) or surgery, the diameter of PDA was significantly larger than 1st cycle-administered (4.1±0.9 mm vs 2.7±0.5 mm P<0.05).

Conclusion : Although closure rate of PDA in preterm infants is more higher than full-term, indomethacin treatment is effective for PDA in full-term infants prior to considering surgical treatment.