Ultrasound for kids

Ultrasound for children is a modern, affordable and effective method of examining a child's body. Ultrasound can monitor the normal development of the child's body and detect the slightest functional disorders in its work in the early stages.

Indication

• If dysplasia is suspected
• Pathologies of the genitourinary system
• Screening ultrasound examination under 3 years of age
• Dynamic control of chronic diseases.
• If there is a suspicion of injuries and / or birth defects in the newborn, as well as to exclude the possibility of developing some pathological conditions in the early stages.
• The child is diagnosed or suspected of developing diseases of the heart and blood vessels, internal organs, urinary system, joints, autoimmune pathologies, endocrine disorders, etc.
• Neurosonography and ultrasound Doppler are indicated for newborns with a history of hypoxia, asphyxia, infectious disease, prematurity, and children under one year are prescribed for clinical signs of central nervous system damage.

The examination has no contraindications.

Parents often worry about whether the ultrasound will harm the child. We answer: no. Ultrasonic waves are not harmful rays, they do not have any effect on the body. Therefore, this examination can be done as often as needed.

Preparation

The most popular types of research, such as ultrasound of the thyroid gland, lymph nodes, joints, salivary glands and soft tissues, do not require special training.

Some types of ultrasound require special training:

• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity - is performed on an empty stomach. Only infants should have an ultrasound before the next feeding. It is important to remember that breast milk in the baby's body is absorbed within 3 hours, and if the baby is fed mixtures, they are absorbed for half an hour longer. Children from 1 to 6 years before the procedure are not fed for 6 hours, children over 7 years - from 8 to 10 hours. For 1-3 days to exclude the products provoking excessive gas formation: beans, sweets, pastries, bread, milk. Instead, feed your child cereals, boiled meat and fish, eggs, baked apples, low-fat cheese.
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs is done on a full bladder. An hour before the study, the child should be watered and asked not to go to the toilet. The exact amount of fluid will be reported by the doctor, it depends on the age and bath of the child.
• It is very important for a reliable ultrasound of the child's heart to be calm during the examination. It is desirable that very young children meanwhile sleep.

On the day of the study, it is not recommended to take medication or warn your doctor.

Stages of implementation

Ultrasound is a completely painless and safe procedure that lasts from 30 to 60 minutes (depending on the required volume of examination).
A special gel is applied to the study area, which improves the transmission of ultrasound signal. The doctor displays the image in real time on the ultrasound screen of the device and makes the necessary measurements.
After that, the specialist makes a conclusion based on the results of ultrasound.

What the survey shows

• Ultrasound of the brain (neurosonography) allows you to assess the general condition of the child's brain. This study is most effective with an "open" source. Indications in this case will be premature birth, intrauterine hypoxia, the presence of symptoms of neurological diseases and suspicion of infection of the fetus.
• Ultrasound examination of the cervical spine. It is recommended to do if you suspect a crooked neck and the presence of birth trauma in the cervical spine.
• Ultrasound of the heart - one of the most important examinations to detect congenital malformations. In addition, the method will help the specialist to study the structure of the heart and monitor its work in real time.
• Examination of the abdominal cavity is carried out in a planned manner for children under three months. Ultrasound is needed to detect birth defects and functional disorders.
• Ultrasound of the hip joints in infants is performed on suspicion of hip dysplasia, as well as dislocations and subdislocations. As planned, this survey is shown to all children under one year.
• Ultrasound of the thymus and pelvic organs is not required. They are prescribed only in case of disorders of the immune system and congenital malformations.

Other ultrasounds are recommended for children under one year of age if necessary.

Advices

It is important to take into account the peculiarities of age and the fact that many children are afraid of any medical procedures. Based on this, we advise you to pay attention to some points so that the hospital and ultrasound do not become a psychological trauma for the baby:

• It is good if you tell the child in advance what will happen during the visit.
• Try to minimally reveal the baby's body (in clothes, children feel more protected)
• Before the procedure, a small patient can be given a sensor and show the screen, the study itself is conducted in the form of a game.
• To create a favorable climate during the diagnosis, it is recommended to conduct research in the presence of the mother (ultrasound of the brain, heart can be done during breastfeeding, if the baby is breastfed)

These simple tips will help you get the most accurate results and save your baby's nervous system.
Every parent should know that only early diagnosis of the disease in a child will help to avoid serious complications. Pediatric ultrasound is a reliable, safe and informative method of detecting pathologies at different stages of development.