This thesis describes the treatment of a patent ductus arteriosus in extreme preterm (<28 weeks gestation) infants. The ductus arteriosus, the connection between the pulmonary artery and aorta, plays an important role in the oxygen delivery in the fetal circulation. Normally this connection closes shortly after birth. In extreme preterm infants, this closure is often delayed. These children have a higher chance for mortality, lung and intestinal complications. Therefore, some paediatricians see the patent ductus as the prime suspect causing these complications and try to close the ductus arteriosus, usually with medication. Others see the patent ductus arteriosus as an innocent bystander and do not treat it. In this thesis, the BeNeDuctus trial showed that an expectant management was no worse than early pharmacological treatment. In addition, there were indications that the therapy might do more harm than the patent ductus arteriosus itself to lung development.
Tim Hundscheid (1989) obtained his medical degree at Maastricht University in 2013. In 2021 he completed his specialty training in pediatrics at Rijnstate and Radboud university medical center, followed by his subspeciality training in neonatology in 2024. In 2016 he started his PhD research at the Radboud university medical center – Amalia Children’s Hospital. He currently works here as a pediatrician-neonatologist.