Screening
Premature infants
Screening is usually reserved for preterm infants. As early as 1989, it was found that early screening and treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDAs) in this population might be advantageous.[46] Centres differ in practice, with some centres routinely screening for PDA by echo for infants less than a certain gestational age and weight (<28 weeks or <1000 g) at 2 to 3 days of life. This is due to concerns about the limited value of clinical examination in diagnosis, and the perceived benefits of early treatment.[45] Some centres prefer to prophylactically treat without any screening to confirm the diagnosis, although evidence for this is controversial.[47][48]
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