Indomethacin may be given to close which congenital heart defect in newborns?

Indomethacin is commonly administered to close a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in newborns. PDA is a congenital heart defect characterized by the persistence of the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel that normally closes shortly after birth. When this vessel remains open, it can lead to increased blood flow to the lungs and potential heart failure.

Indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are substances that keep the ductus arteriosus open. By reducing prostaglandin levels, indomethacin effectively promotes closure of the PDA, helping to restore normal blood circulation and reduce the risk of complications associated with this condition.

As for the other congenital heart defects listed, they do not have the same pathway for closure that a PDA has with indomethacin. Ventricular septal defects (VSD) and atrial septal defects (ASD) are structural abnormalities in the heart that typically require surgical intervention if they are large and symptomatic, rather than pharmacological closure. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a complex congenital heart defect that includes several components, and while it is treated through