Screening for developmental delays is a key step in the health of infants and toddlers. If a doctor can detect a delay early, a family can start intervention treatments, which can improve the chances for progress in school and life.

Today nearly half of pediatricians almost always screen for developmental delays during checkups, a study released this week found. The good news is the percentage of these doctors rose to 48 percent from 23 percent between 2002 and 2009, according to the research released by Pediatrics. This is also the bad news, since it suggests less than half of pediatricians almost always screen.