Chest shielding for prevention of a haemodynamically symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants receiving phototherapy (Protocol)

The primary objective will be to determine if chest shielding of preterm infants receiving phototherapy versus sham shielding or no shielding reduces the incidence of symptomatic and/or haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and reduces subsequent morbidity secondary to a PDA and mortality. The secondary objectives will be to determine whether chest shielding of preterm infants receiving phototherapy versus sham shielding or no shielding reduces the incidence of symptomatic and/or haemodynamically significant PDA and reduces subsequent morbidity secondary to a PDA and mortality, based on to the following subgroups. Ductus arteriosus (DA) status at enrolment: given prophylactically (all infants); infants with a symptomatic and/or haemodynamically significant DA; or infants with an asymptomatic PDA. Gestational age (< 28 weeks, 28 to 32 weeks, and 33 to 37 weeks). Timing of initiation of chest shielding (early: one to three days; intermediate: four to seven days; and late: > 7 days).