There are several cases of babies born with the condition of blood vessels that are not covered. This could lead to serious health problems. But researchers have had a breakthrough in understanding this problem, and this was related to the number of platelets in the blood of babies.

If the ductus arteriosus (short blood vessels) in the baby fails to close, it is likely that the baby could have had high blood pressure in his lungs and heart failure.

The team of researchers from Munich's Technischen University, Germany showed that platelets, the cells in the blood can form clots that this is an important role in the process of closing blood vessels. The results of this study was entered in the journal Nature Medicine.

Ductus arteriosus is a short blood vessel that connects the pulmonary artery the aorta. So most of the blood from the right heart chambers can be through the liquid in the fetal lung.

This can protect the lungs so as not too much to work and to strengthen the left heart chambers. In normal circumstances, usually so the growth completed, this vessel will close one hour after birth.

But sometimes this process does not occur, causing a condition known as patent ductus arteriosus. If this condition is not immediately corrected it can lead to pressure on the blood vessels of the lungs can lead to shortness of breath and dizziness. Ultimately lead to heartbeat irregularities and heart failure.

Researchers found that platelets play an important role, because if the platelets are not functioning properly then the ductus arteriosus fails to close. In addition the researchers also showed in a clinical study of preterm infants who do not have a sufficient number of platelets, a failure in the process close of ductus arteriosus.

"Based on these results, it is possible if performed platelet transfusions can reduce the risk of not closing ductus arteriosus in premature infants with a low number of platelets," says Dr. Steffen Massberg as lead researcher, as quoted by BBC News.

With the breakthrough was the use of platelet transfusions, is expected to help close the ductus arteriosus in babies who are vulnerable and potentially save the lives of babies.