Patent ductus arteriosus
Alternate Names : PDA
Symptoms & Signs
A small PDA may not cause any symptoms. However, some infants may not tolerate a PDA, especially if it is large, and may have symptoms such as: - Bounding pulse
- Fast breathing
- Poor feeding habits
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating while feeding
- Tiring very easily
- Poor growth
Diagnosis & Tests
Babies with PDA often have a characteristic heart murmur that can be heard with a stethoscope. However, in premature infants, a heart murmur may not be heard. Doctor's may suspect the condition if the infant has breathing or feeding problems soon after birth. Changes may be seen on chest x-rays. The diagnosis is confirmed with an echocardiogram. Sometimes, a small PDA may not be diagnosed until later in childhood.
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