Fluid Administration and the Development of Patent Ductus Arteriosus

To the Editor: Bell et al., in their carefully controlled clinical study in the March 13 issue of the Journal, have provided firm support for the widely held clinical suspicion that liberal fluid intake in neonates increases the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus. Their conclusion that the volume of fluid intake may have an important role in ductal patency, however, deserves further comment. Infants in the study were identified as having a patent ductus arteriosus by the appearance of a ductal murmur. The finding that high fluid intake increases the number of infants with a murmur and congestive heart.