The flow velocity pattern in the descending aorta, renal arteries, and celiac and superior mesenteric arteries was studied with pulsed Doppler in eight premature babies with symptomatic ductus arteriosus before and after ductal closure, as compared to nine premature babies without ductus arteriosus. There was a decrease or reversal of flow in diastole in the above arteries in babies with ductus and diastolic flow reappeared after ductal closure. This diastolic steal phenomenon has not been previously demonstrated in the abdominal arteries. It may contribute to proneness to ischemic damage of abdominal organs in premature babies.