FACTORS IN THE GROWTH OF CHILDREN WITH PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS

Abstract

The preoperative and postoperative growth of 444 patients who underwent division of a patent ductus arteriosus prior to the age of 8 years at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston has been investigated by means of review of hospital records and x-rays, and patient questionnaires. Information dealing with maternal height, additional developmental defects, rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy, "rubella syndrome," prematurity and birth weight, cardiac enlargement. and age of the patient at operation has been related to height and weight and the likelihood of acceleration in these parameters.