Introduction
In the medical field, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) refers to a condition where the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel connecting the aorta and the pulmonary artery in the heart, fails to close after birth. Usually, once the infant’s lungs are filled with air, the ductus arteriosus is no longer necessary and naturally closes within a few days. However, this closure does not always occur as expected in some infants, particularly those born prematurely with a gestational age of less than 35 weeks.
As part of my work, I frequently encounter cases of PDA in premature infants. These infants face challenges in closing their ductus arteriosus, requiring medical intervention or surgical procedures to promote closure. Treatment options may involve administering medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which help stimulate the closure of the ductus arteriosus. In more severe cases, surgical interventions like ligation or catheter-based procedures may be necessary to close the ductus arteriosus and restore normal blood flow in the heart.
MATH 225N Class 4 Week 7 Lab Assignment Leigh Stevens
Given the frequency of this condition in the population of premature infants, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to closely monitor and address PDA to prevent potential complications and promote the optimal health and well-being of these vulnerable infants.
The Effect of Rectal Acetaminophen
The article titled “The Effect of Rectal Acetaminophen on the Closure of Ductus Arteriosus in Premature Neonates: A Case Series Study” published in 2019 presented the findings of a study conducted to evaluate the impact of rectal acetaminophen on the closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature neonates. The researchers reported that a remarkable 95% of the premature infants in the study responded positively to the treatment with rectal acetaminophen.
The study’s conclusion emphasized the efficacy and safety of rectal acetaminophen as a therapeutic option for PDA closure in preterm neonates with a gestational age of less than 35 weeks. The authors suggested that rectal administration of acetaminophen could be considered a valuable approach due to its favorable outcomes and various benefits, including its safety profile, cost-effectiveness, and significant impact on closing PDA in this population.
The study’s findings imply that rectal acetaminophen holds promise as an influential therapeutic intervention for promoting the closure of the ductus arteriosus in premature neonates with a gestational age below 35 weeks. This information may contribute to the development of improved treatment strategies and clinical practices aimed at managing PDA in preterm infants, potentially leading to better outcomes and enhanced care for this vulnerable population (Vakiliamini, Daryoushi, Rangchi & Aghaei, 2019, p. 32).
MATH 225N Class 4 Week 7 Lab Assignment Leigh Stevens
To investigate the null hypothesis Ho: μ = 95 and determine its validity, I would conduct a study focusing on infants with gestational age less than 35 weeks who require medication treatment for the closure of their patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Following the methodology outlined in the article by Vakiliamini, Daryoushi, Rangchi, and Aghaei (2019), I would administer a standardized treatment using rectal acetaminophen, precisely a loading dose of 25 mg/kg followed by 15 mg/kg every 8 hours for three days.
Over the course of one year, I would collect data on the infants who receive this treatment. The collected data would include the response of each infant to the medication in terms of PDA closure. Using the collected data, I would calculate the sample mean and standard deviation as central tendency and variability measures, respectively.
To assess the precision of the data and estimate the range of potential outcomes, I would construct a confidence interval. By utilizing the calculated mean and standard deviation, I would determine a range within which the population means will likely fall. To maintain a confidence level of 95%, commonly employed in research, I would set the confidence interval accordingly.
MATH 225N Class 4 Week 7 Lab Assignment Leigh Stevens
Repeated sampling from the same population and calculating the range of estimates using the established methodology would provide insight into the confidence level associated with the results. If the calculated confidence interval consistently encompasses the value of 95, it would support the null hypothesis Ho: μ = 95.
Conducting this study would allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the null hypothesis and contribute to the existing knowledge on the effectiveness of rectal acetaminophen in closing PDAs in premature infants. The results obtained from the study could provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals and help guide clinical decision-making regarding the treatment of PDA in this population.
Hypothesis
If the null hypothesis is proven accurate, indicating that rectal acetaminophen is an effective treatment for closing patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants, it would have significant implications for clinical practice. The current standard treatment of intravenous indomethacin, which carries the risk of adverse effects such as renal failure, bleeding in the brain, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract complications, could be replaced with rectal acetaminophen.
By adopting rectal acetaminophen as the primary treatment option for PDA closure in premature infants with gestational age under 35 weeks, we can potentially avoid the severe adverse effects of indomethacin. Rectal acetaminophen offers a safer alternative that can promote PDA closure without jeopardizing the well-being of these vulnerable infants.
Eliminating adverse effects such as renal failure, bleeding, and GI complications would significantly reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Using rectal acetaminophen would provide a more favorable risk-benefit profile, ensuring the safety and well-being of premature infants while effectively addressing their PDA.
MATH 225N Class 4 Week 7 Lab Assignment Leigh Stevens
Implementing this new treatment approach would require collaboration among healthcare professionals, including neonatologists, pediatricians, and pharmacists, to update clinical guidelines and protocols. Education and training would be necessary to ensure proper administration and monitoring of rectal acetaminophen therapy. Ongoing research and surveillance would also be essential to gather further evidence and monitor the long-term outcomes of this treatment modality.
Summary
In summary, if the null hypothesis is confirmed, the adoption of rectal acetaminophen as a replacement for intravenous indomethacin in the treatment of PDA would offer numerous advantages. It would mitigate the risk of severe adverse effects, improve patient safety, and provide a more favorable therapeutic option for premature infants with PDA.
References
El-Masri, M. M. (2012). Confidence intervals: Part 1. Canadian Nurse, 108(2), 8. Retrieved from
https://search-ebscohost-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx? direct=true&db=ccm&AN=104521394&site=ehost-live&scope=siteVakiliamini, M., Daryoushi, H., Rangchi, A., & Aghaei, A. (2019). The Effect of Rectal Acetaminophen on the Closure of Ductus Arteriosus in Premature Neonates: A Case Series Study. International Cardiovascular Research Journal, 13(1), 29–33. Retrieved from
