MATH 225N Class 4 Week 7 Lab Assignment Leigh Stevens

 

 

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Introduction

In the medical field, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) refers to a condition where the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel connecting the aorta and the pulmonary artery in the heart, fails to close after birth. Usually, once the infant’s lungs are filled with air, the ductus arteriosus is no longer necessary and naturally closes within a few days. However, this closure does not always occur as expected in some infants, particularly those born prematurely with a gestational age of less than 35 weeks.

As part of my work, I frequently encounter cases of PDA in premature infants. These infants face challenges in closing their ductus arteriosus, requiring medical intervention or surgical procedures to promote closure. Treatment options may involve administering medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which help stimulate the closure of the ductus arteriosus. In more severe cases, surgical interventions like ligation or catheter-based procedures may be necessary to close the ductus arteriosus and restore normal blood flow in the heart.

MATH 225N Class 4 Week 7 Lab Assignment Leigh Stevens

Given the frequency of this condition in the population of premature infants, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to closely monitor and address PDA to prevent potential complications and promote the optimal health and well-being of these vulnerable infants.

The Effect of Rectal Acetaminophen

The article titled “The Effect of Rectal Acetaminophen on the Closure of Ductus Arteriosus in Premature Neonates: A Case Series Study” published in 2019 presented the findings of a study conducted to evaluate the impact of rectal acetaminophen on the closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature neonates. The researchers reported that a remarkable 95% of the premature infants in the study responded positively to the treatment with rectal acetaminophen.

The study’s conclusion emphasized the efficacy and safety of rectal acetaminophen as a therapeutic option for PDA closure in preterm neonates with a gestational age of less than 35 weeks. The authors suggested that rectal administration of acetaminophen could be considered a valuable approach due to its favorable outcomes and various benefits, including its safety profile, cost-effectiveness, and significant impact on closing PDA in this population.

The study’s findings imply that rectal acetaminophen holds promise as an influential therapeutic intervention for promoting the closure of the ductus arteriosus in premature neonates with a gestational age below 35 weeks. This information may contribute to the development of improved treatment strategies and clinical practices aimed at managing PDA in preterm infants, potentially leading to better outcomes and enhanced care for this vulnerable population (Vakiliamini, Daryoushi, Rangchi & Aghaei, 2019, p. 32).

MATH 225N Class 4 Week 7 Lab Assignment Leigh Stevens

To investigate the null hypothesis Ho: μ = 95 and determine its validity, I would conduct a study focusing on infants with gestational age less than 35 weeks who require medication treatment for the closure of their patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Following the methodology outlined in the article by Vakiliamini, Daryoushi, Rangchi, and Aghaei (2019), I would administer a standardized treatment using rectal acetaminophen, precisely a loading dose of 25 mg/kg followed by 15 mg/kg every 8 hours for three days.

Over the course of one year, I would collect data on the infants who receive this treatment. The collected data would include the response of each infant to the medication in terms of PDA closure. Using the collected data, I would calculate the sample mean and standard deviation as central tendency and variability measures, respectively.

To assess the precision of the data and estimate the range of potential outcomes, I would construct a confidence interval. By utilizing the calculated mean and standard deviation, I would determine a range within which the population means will likely fall. To maintain a confidence level of 95%, commonly employed in research, I would set the confidence interval accordingly.

MATH 225N Class 4 Week 7 Lab Assignment Leigh Stevens

Repeated sampling from the same population and calculating the range of estimates using the established methodology would provide insight into the confidence level associated with th

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