Patent ductus arteriosus risk factors


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org],, Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
Like many congenital heart disease, the cause of patent ductus arteriosus is not clear. Clinical studies suggest that the genetic and environmental factors both play an important role during the pregnancy.

Risk factors
Factors in the mother that may increase the risk of this condition include:
 * Age over 40
 * Alcoholism
 * Diabetes
 * Prenatal nutrition
 * Rubella or other viral illness during pregnancyIncreased risks are seen in-
 * Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome
 * Pregnant woman had German measles during pregnancy