The Safety of Prolonged Indomethacin Therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the fetal and newborn safety profile of prolonged indomethacin treatment during pregnancy. A retrospective cohort of 124 pregnant women treated with indomethacin was used to assess the outcomes of oligohydramnios, constriction of the ductus arteriosus, and composite neonatal morbidity. Eight patients (6.5%) developed ductal constriction and nine patients (7.3%) developed oligohydramnios. Composite morbidity occurred in 36 neonates (29%). Ductal constriction, oligohydramnios, and composite morbidity were not associated with duration of therapy, gestational age at start or stop of therapy, time between dosing and delivery, or dose regimen. Prolonged indomethacin therapy rarely is associated with ductal constriction and oligohydramnios.