Is It Possible for a 5-Year-Old Child's Arterial Duct to Close Naturally?

Typically, if the arterial duct remains open beyond the age of 0.5 to 1 year, it is diagnosed as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Once a child passes this developmental stage, the chances of the duct closing naturally after age one become extremely low. While some small ventricular septal defects (VSDs) may still close on their own before the age of five, the same does not apply to PDA. If the duct remains open, medical evaluation is necessary to determine whether intervention is required, based on factors such as the size of the defect and the overall condition of the heart.

When the defect measures more than 3mm, it can lead to increased workload on the left side of the heart, potentially causing enlargement of the left atrium and left ventricle. In such cases, treatment is usually recommended. The larger the defect, the faster the condition may progress. Currently, catheter-based closure is the preferred treatment method for PDA. This minimally invasive procedure has a very high success rate, nearly reaching 100%, and carries relatively low risks compared to traditional surgical options.