Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): Tests

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart problem that affects some babies soon after birth. In PDA, abnormal blood flow occurs between two of the major arteries connected to the heart. These arteries are the aorta and the pulmonary artery.

Part of: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

How Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Is Diagnosed

In full-term infants, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) usually is first suspected if a heart murmur is heard during a routine checkup.

A heart murmur is an extra or unusual sound heard during the heartbeat. Heart murmurs have other causes besides PDA, and most murmurs are harmless.

If a PDA is large, an infant also may have symptoms of volume overload and increased blood flow to the lungs. If a PDA is small, it may not be diagnosed until later in childhood.

If your child’s doctor thinks your child has PDA, he or she may refer you to a pediatric cardiologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart problems in children.

Premature babies who have PDA may not have the same signs and symptoms as full-term babies, such as heart murmurs. Doctors may suspect PDA in premature babies who have breathing problems soon after birth. Tests can help confirm a diagnosis… Read more about Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): Tests