The New England journal of medicine
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The prostaglandins affect smooth-muscle tone of the ductus arteriosus. Patent ductus often complicates the clinical course of prematurely born infants with respiratory-distress syndrome. ⋯ A transient reduction in renal function was observed in two infants in whom sustained ill-effects did not occur. The observation that constriction and closure of the patent ductus arteriosus may be induced pharmacologically raises important possibilities for the improved treatment of the respiratory-distress syndrome.