This trial will determine whether giving low-dose indomethacin to infants weight 500 to 999 grams (approximately 1 to 2 pounds) at birth improves their survival without cerebral palsy or developmental problems at 18 to 22 months of age.

Prophylactic indomethacin reduces patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and intraventricular hemorrhage in very low birth weight infants. However, the effects of early indomethacin on long-term neurodevelopment remain uncertain. There is also insufficient evidence to rule out serious adverse effects, such as increases in the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The aim of this trial was to determine if prophylactic administration of indomethacin improves survival without neurosensory impairments in extremely-low-birth-weight infants. Infants (n=1202) with birthweights 500 to 999 grams were randomized between 2 and 6 hours after birth to receive either intravenous indomethacin (0.1 mg/kg) or equal volumes of normal saline placebo, daily for 3 days. The primary outcomes at a corrected age of 18 months was a composite of death, cerebral palsy, cognitive delay, deafness, or blindness. Secondary long-term outcomes were hydrocephalus necessitating the placement of a shunt, seizure disorder, and microcephaly. Secondary short-term outcomes were patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hemorrhage, chronic lung disease, cranial ultrasonographic abnormalities, nectrotizing enterocolitis and retinopathy. Infants were evaluated in follow-up at 18-22 months corrected age.

• Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
• Infant, Premature
• Ductus Arteriosus, Patent

• Schmidt B, Davis P, Moddemann D, Ohlsson A, Roberts RS, Saigal S, Solimano A, Vincer M, Wright LL. Long-term effects of indomethacin prophylaxis in extremely-low-birth-weight infants. N Engl J Med. 2001 Jun 28;344(26):1966-72.
• Schmidt B, Asztalos EV, Roberts RS, Robertson CM, Sauve RS, Whitfield MF. Impact of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, brain injury, and severe retinopathy on the outcome of extremely low-birth-weight infants at 18 months: results from the trial of indomethacin prophylaxis in preterms. JAMA. 2003 Mar 5;289(9):1124-9.
• Bassler D, Stoll BJ, Schmidt B, Asztalos EV, Roberts RS, Robertson CM, Sauve RS; Trial of Indomethacin Prophylaxis in Preterms Investigators. Using a count of neonatal morbidities to predict poor outcome in extremely low birth weight infants: added role of neonatal infection. Pediatrics. 2009 Jan;123(1):313-8.
• Alfaleh K, Smyth JA, Roberts RS, Solimano A, Asztalos EV, Schmidt B; Trial of Indomethacin Prophylaxis in Preterms Investigators. Prevention and 18-month outcomes of serious pulmonary hemorrhage in extremely low birth weight infants: results from the trial of indomethacin prophylaxis in preterms. Pediatrics. 2008 Feb;121(2):e233-8.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Birth weight 500 to 999 grams;
• Postnatal age greater than 2 hours;

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to administer study drug within 6 hours of birth;
• Structural heart disease and/or renal disease;
• Dysmorphic features or congenital abnormalities;
• Tocolytic therapy with indomethacin or other prostaglandin inhibitor within 72 hours prior to delivery;
• Overt clinical bleeding from more than one site;
• Platelet count less than 50 x 109/L;
• Hydrops;
• Not considered viable