Ultrasound for children

Ultrasound examination (US) is one of the most widespread diagnostic methods in childhood. It helps the doctor evaluate the condition of internal organs, joints, vessels, and soft tissues without pain, discomfort, and radiation exposure.

Due to its safety and informative nature, US is widely used for both newborns and older children. The examination can be employed for preventive check-ups, refining diagnoses, or monitoring treatment effectiveness. Safe and painless US for children in the 'Dobrobut' medical network is conducted using expert-class equipment, ensuring high accuracy of results at any age.

When may a child need US

A doctor may recommend an ultrasound examination in cases of abdominal pain, urinary disturbances, swollen lymph nodes, changes in tests, suspicion of congenital developmental features, or to clarify the causes of specific symptoms.

Certain types of US are included in the list of recommended examinations for children in their first year of life, as they allow for the timely detection of conditions that may require observation or treatment.

Which types of US are performed on children

Depending on the child's age and the clinical situation, the doctor may prescribe:

• US of the abdominal organs — to assess the condition of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and other organs.
• US of the kidneys and urinary system — helps identify congenital developmental features, signs of inflammation, and other changes.
• Neurosonography (US of the brain) — performed on infants through the fontanel to assess the brain structures.
• US of the hip joints — used for the early detection of hip dysplasia in infants.
• Echo-cardiography (US of the heart) — allows assessing the heart's structure, valve function, and blood flow characteristics.
• US of the thyroid gland — applied to assess the size and structure of the gland.
• US of lymph nodes and soft tissues — helps clarify the cause of swollen lymph nodes or detected formations.
• US of the pelvic organs — may be prescribed for girls and boys when relevant indications are present.

How to prepare a child for US

Not all ultrasound examinations require special preparation. However, for certain types of US, the doctor may recommend:

• to refrain from eating for a certain period before the examination;
• to come with a full bladder;
• to follow other individual recommendations.

Proper preparation helps achieve the most accurate result of the examination.

How the procedure goes

During the US, the doctor applies a special gel on the skin and moves the sensor over the area that needs examination. The procedure is painless and usually lasts from 10 to 30 minutes.

In most cases, the child feels no discomfort. For infants, the examination is often conducted during natural sleep or after feeding when they are calm and relaxed.

After completing the US, the child can immediately return to their usual daily routine.

Is US safe for children

Ultrasound examination is considered a safe diagnostic method and has been used in pediatrics for many decades. Unlike radiological methods, US is not associated with ionizing radiation and does not create radiation exposure to the body.

That is why it is applied even in newborns and may be repeated if necessary for dynamic monitoring of the child's health condition.

US helps obtain important information about the child's health status, timely detect potential violations, and determine further observation or treatment tactics. It is a quick, comfortable, and safe diagnostic method that is an integral part of modern pediatric care.

Call our contact center or fill out the form on the website to choose a convenient time for the examination.