Paracetamol And Ibuprofen/Indomethacin in Closing Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PAI)

Paracetamol And Ibuprofen/Indomethacin in Closing Patent Ductus Arteriosus of Preterm Infants - Randomised, Placebo-controlled Multicentre Trial

The purpose of this pilot trial is to study efficacy and safety of simultaneous intravenous (iv) ibuprofen/indomethacin and paracetamol medications in the closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants. It is randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 1, multicenter, clinical trial.

Premature infants (born before 37 weeks gestational age) with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are the focus of the study since no trials on the additive efficacy of these two medications on the contraction of ductus arteriosus are available. Preterm infants who are diagnosed to have a hemodynamically significant PDA and who, according to the decision of the attending clinician, need ibuprofen/indomethacin therapy, are eligible to this trial. If the parents deny the consent, the patient will be treated according to the standard PDA treatment: three days' iv ibuprofen Pedea® 5mg/ml solution infusion (Oulu, Helsinki, Tartu) dosing: 10mg/kg + 5mg/kg + 5mg/kg (q24h); or three days' iv indomethacin (Turku) 0.2mg/kg + 0.1mg/kg + 0.1mg/kg (q24h). In case of any contraindications for ibuprofen/indomethacin, the treatment would be surgical ligation.

Placebo, 0.45 % saline, is similar to paracetamol, both being clear liquids, so the staff will remain unaware which drug the patient receives. The study drug will be kept and prepared away from the neonatal intensive care unit, at the separate ward 55 office, in a locked cabinet. The study drug will be prepared by the research nurse, the pharmacist of the ward, or during nighttime, by a nurse who does not participate in the study patients' treatment in any way.

Intravenous (IV) ibuprofen 5mg/mL q 24h for 3 days, dosages: 10mg/kg + 5mg/kg + 5mg/kg and IV paracetamol 10mg/mL for 3 days: loading dose 20mg/kg, following 7.5mg/kg q 6h (up to12 doses)

IV ibuprofen 5mg/mL q 24h for 3 days, dosages: 10mg/kg + 5mg/kg + 5mg/kg and NaCl 0.45% for 3 days, the same amount in mL as would have been given IV paracetamol

Intravenous (IV) indometahcin 25mg/mL q 24h for 3 days, dosages: 0.2mg/kg + 0.1mg/kg + 0.1mg/kg and IV paracetamol 10mg/mL for 3 days: loading dose 20mg/kg, following 7.5mg/kg q 6h (up to12 doses)

Intravenous (IV) indomethacin 25mg/mL q 24h for 3 days, dosages: 0.2mg/kg + 0.1mg/kg + 0.1mg/kg and NaCl 0.45% for 3 days, the same amount in mL as would have been given IV paracetamol

Moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage grade 2-4, moderate to severe necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity needing therapy

Inclusion Criteria: Preterm infants (born before 37+0 gestation weeks) who are diagnosed to have a hemodynamically significant PDA and who, according to the decision of the attending clinician, need ibuprofen therapy, are eligible to this trial. Exclusion Criteria: severe malformation or suspected chromosomal defect other very severe life-threatening disease (e.g. very severe birth asphyxia or persistent pulmonary hypertension, etc.)

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Juujarvi S, Saarela T, Hallman M, Aikio O. Intravenous paracetamol was associated with closure of the ductus arteriosus in extremely premature infants. Acta Paediatr. 2018 Apr;107(4):605-610. doi: 10.1111/apa.14137. Epub 2017 Nov 17.

Harma A, Aikio O, Hallman M, Saarela T. Intravenous Paracetamol Decreases Requirements of Morphine in Very Preterm Infants. J Pediatr. 2016 Jan;168:36-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.08.003. Epub 2015 Aug 29.

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