Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Screening Trial

The ductus arteriosus directs blood away from the pulmonary circulation and toward the
systemic circulation during fetal life, then closes after birth. In preterm infants the
incidence of spontaneous closure decreases with gestational age. Patent ductus arteriosus
(PDA) increases the risks of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and necrotizing enterocolitis
(NEC). However, this association may not be a causal relationship.

Echocardiography is required to diagnose PDA. However, routine screening echocardiograms
lead to detection of asymptomatic PDAs, for which the benefit of therapy remains unproven.

A randomized controlled trial has been designed in which 88 infants with birth weight less
than or equal to 1250 grams and gestational age less than or equal to 30 weeks will be
enrolled. The investigators' goal is to determine how screening echocardiography influences
clinical management and outcomes in these infants.