Genetics of drug response for an infant heart condition

The pulmonary artery carries blood from the heart to the lungs to get oxygen. The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body. Before a baby is born, fluid fills its lungs. So, fetal blood does not go to its lungs to get oxygen. It gets oxygen from its mother through the umbilical cord. The ductus arteriosus (DA) is blood vessel that connects the pulmonary artery and the aorta. This allows the blood to bypass the lungs. When the baby is born, it needs to get oxygen from its lungs. So, the DA closes within a couple days. But, sometimes, the DA does not close. Patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, is when the DA does not close all the way, or at all. If the opening is small, it may not cause problems or need treatment. But, if the DA stays wide open, it can cause problems. Blood without much oxygen may flow in the wrong direction. This can weaken the heart muscle. That can lead to heart failure and other problems. This happens in about 2 out of every 3 babies born before 28 weeks. We do have a few drugs that treat PDA. Surgery may also be an option. Indomethacin is a drug that treats PDA. It helps close the DA in 4 out of 5 babies. But, it can have bad side effects. These include a hole in the bowel, infections, kidney problems, and issues with blood flow to the brain. Scientists think that changes in certain genes may predict the effects of indomethacin. Scientists will use BioVU to look for a link between gene changes and drug response. Their results will help us learn who will benefit most from indomethacin. For patient not predicted to do well with the drug, surgery may be the best option. These results will let us treat the patient quickly with the best option for them.