Do Calcium and Potassium Levels Influence Ductal Patency in Preterm Infants?

Objective: We investigated the relationship of serum potassium (K ⁺ ) and ionized calcium (iCa ²⁺ ) levels with the persistence of ductus arteriosus.
Study Design: This retrospective cohort study included infants with birth weight < 1,500 g and gestational age < 32 weeks. Serum K ⁺ and iCa ²⁺ levels at the 1st and 48th hour of life were measured from samples. The difference between the two levels was calculated for both serum K ⁺ (ΔK ⁺ ) and iCa ²⁺ (ΔCa ²⁺ ). These values were compared between hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) and non-hsPDA.
Results: Of 1,322 hospitalized preterm nonates, 1,196 were included in the study. Mean serum K ⁺ levels at the 1st and 48th hour were higher and iCa ²⁺ levels at the 1st and 48th hour were lower in hsPDA and non-hsPDA, respectively ( p  < 0.001). Ionized ΔCa ²⁺ (-0.06 ± 0.13 vs. -0.02 ± 0.12 mmol/L) was higher in hsPDA ( p  < 0.001).
Conclusion: We demonstrated that serum K ⁺ and iCa ²⁺ level might play a role in ductal constriction.
Competing Interests: None declared.
(Thieme. All rights reserved.)