Targeted US Screening in High-Risk Newborns and Infants: Indications, Techniques, and Disease Findings

Newborns and infants with certain perinatal exposures, congenital conditions, and genetic syndromes are at increased risk for clinically significant diseases and may benefit from early detection. In these children, imaging serves as a targeted screening tool to identify actionable abnormalities during a window in which intervention may reduce morbidity and long-term sequelae. The authors summarize evidence-based US screening strategies for high-risk newborns and infants encountered in clinical practice, including preterm infants, newborns with a breech presentation, children with congenital and syndromic conditions, and children with tumor predisposition syndromes. For each group, the authors discuss the rationale for screening, optimal timing, key technical considerations, and imaging findings that directly influence management. Across indications, effective screening follows common principles: risk-based selection rather than universal imaging, adherence to standardized protocols, and interpretation by radiologists familiar with population-specific disease patterns. When embedded within structured clinical pathways, targeted screening supports early diagnosis, guides multidisciplinary management, and helps prevent avoidable complications in vulnerable pediatric populations.