PDA- when to admin. medicine?

baby X 2!

My DS was born with a PDA and PFO. He's now 5 1/2 months and doing great but the doc said the murmer is still there and is now louder. He said it gets louder as it gets smaller. I took him in again the other day because we're traveling soon and I wanted him to get checked out. I just feel like when I put my hand on his chest I feel his heart pounding more than DD and can definitly feel the murmer. He said there was nothing to worry about right now and that there isn't anything they would do until he's 6 months. I asked him why I know of so many others how were given meds much earlier than that and he said that is only in severe cases because to give it to him before 6 months is too hard on his kidneys.

Any insite would be helpful. I love our pedi but I can't help but to question him on this.

TIA!

dmblack

My DD had PDA ligation surgery when she was 2 weeks old.  They only did the surgery because the meds (she had 2 rounds) didn't work to close it.  I'm surprised they didn't do meds when he was in the hospital.

Mrs. Destructo

It's my understanding that the medicines given to close up a PDA only work in the first few days of life (or maybe it's within the first 2 weeks? I can't remember exactly). So from my understanding, if the medicine isn't given right away doctors watch and wait if the baby isn't having any trouble from the PDA, because surgery is the only option that will really close the valve.

baby X 2!

Thanks for the replies. They told me  about the PDA when he was 3 days  old, and always made it sound like they would try medicine later. I feel like i'm getting the run around and wondering if it's because our original Pedi didn't give him the med. earlier.