Premature fetal closure of the ductus arteriosus of unknown cause – could it be influenced by maternal consumption of large quantities of herbal chamomile tea – a case report?

Objectives The aim of this article was to present a case of premature fetal closure of the ductus arteriosus (DA) of unknown cause. Case presentation A 32-year-old pregnant woman came for the regular prenatal visit at 36 + 1 weeks of gestation (WG) at which oligohydramnios and premature closure of DA were revealed. Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was excluded by the history, although the patient had the symptoms of common cold 2 weeks before the check-up taking more than 1,000 mL of strong chamomile tea daily till the day before the prenatal visit. The patient was hospitalized at 36 + 1 weeks of gestation due to premature closure of DA and oligohydramnios (amniotic fluid index = 4.5/3), which was the indication to deliver the baby by cesarean section at 36 + 6 WG (birth weight was 2,830 g, birth length 49 cm and head circumference 34 cm, Apgar score at 1 and 5 min were 9/9). Postnatal course was uneventful, and postnatal echocardiography at 12 h of life revealed functionally closed DA and mild dysfunction of the right ventricle, which completely resolved after 7 days. The mother and the baby were discharged home healthy, and were doing well 3 months after delivery. Conclusions Although the cause of premature closure of DA in most of the cases will remain undetected, thorough history sometimes with unexpected events should be taken under the consideration as possible causative factor for premature DA closure, as was drinking of high quantities of chamomile tea in our case.