Ultrasound examination of a child's abdomen has a wide diagnostic possibilities - it allows to detect many abnormalities in the structure of the abdominal organs. In addition, it allows for the early diagnosis of diseases of the digestive or urinary system in the early stages, thanks to which it is possible to quickly implement appropriate treatment. Abdominal ultrasound is easy to access, painless and has no harmful effects on body tissues. Ultrasound is completely safe for children, so in the event of any disturbing symptoms, it is worth visiting a doctor who performs an ultrasound examination.
At the Dworska Hospital in Krakow, we also perform ultrasound of the abdominal cavity in adults.
When to do an abdominal ultrasound in a child?
Abdominal ultrasound examinations in children may be screening or diagnostic. In young children, many malformations, diseases or neoplastic processes in the abdominal cavity do not give any specific symptoms. The diagnosis of the advanced stage of the disease later in life makes it difficult to undertake effective treatment. The damage to the organs is then often too great, which is sometimes associated with a permanent impairment of its function. Ultrasound examination allows for early detection of many symptomatically silent pathologies, thanks to which it is possible to quickly implement appropriate treatment and reduce the risk of serious complications.
Any disturbing symptom of the digestive or urinary system should be checked by ultrasound. It is worth performing an ultrasound of the baby's tummy in the case of repeated attacks of colic, which do not depend on the type of food consumed by the baby. Common abdominal pain in older children, especially those associated with constipation or chronic diarrhea and elevated body temperature, also require medical monitoring and an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.
Preparation for the examination
Each child during an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity should have a full bladder (if possible). Therefore, 30-60 minutes before the examination, the child should be given water or still drinking liquid.
Should the baby be on an empty stomach?
Adolescents must be prepared similarly to that of adults (no food consumption 4-6 hours before the test),
Children should refrain from eating 3 hours before the test,
Abdominal ultrasound examination in newborns and infants is performed after being fed by the mother.
Baby abdominal ultrasound - what does it detect?
Ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity of children allows to detect:
deviations in the size of internal organs, e.g. enlarged liver,
pathological changes in the liver,
causes of jaundice,
stones in the gallbladder,
biliary obstruction,
inflammation of the pancreas,
abscesses, cysts and tumors in the abdominal cavity,
inflammation of the kidneys
kidney stones,
urinary system defects,
appendicitis,
disturbances of blood flow in the large vessels of the abdominal cavity.
Where is the best place to do an abdominal ultrasound?
At the Dworska Hospital in Krakow, we have modern General Electric® Voluson® series ultrasound machines. These devices are fully adapted to pediatric research. A wide range of probes enables an accurate assessment of the abdominal cavity of a newborn, school-age child and adolescent. The Doppler option allows for a precise examination of the vascularization of internal organs and the assessment of the flow in large veins and arteries of the abdominal cavity.
We also perform other ultrasound examinations in children:
Ultrasound of hip joints,
Ultrasound of lymph nodes,
Thyroid ultrasound,
Ultrasound of salivary glands,
Testicular ultrasound in boys.
Source:
- Brzewski M. Aktualne standardy badania USG jamy brzusznej u dzieci. J Ultrason 2017; 17: 41–42.
- Placzyńska M, Lichosik M, Jung A: Przydatność badania ultrasonograficznego jamy brzusznej u dzieci jako badania przesiewowego. Pediatr Med Rodz 2011; 7: 236–240.
Frequently asked questions about ultrasound of the abdominal cavity of a child:
Abdominal ultrasound examination should be performed in each case of abdominal pain symptoms reported by the child, especially if the pain is accompanied by chronic constipation, diarrhea and fever. Frequent attacks of colic occurring in newborns and infants, regardless of the type of food consumed, are a disturbing symptom. It is worth noting that some diseases, and even tumors of the abdominal cavity initially do not have to show clear symptoms. Ultrasound screening allows the early detection of these abnormalities in children, greatly increasing the chances of a successful cure.
Fasting enables a more accurate assessment of the abdominal organs (food masses do not obscure the image of internal organs). If possible, your baby should not eat for 3 hours before the ultrasound scan. A filled bladder facilitates the assessment of the pelvic organs, therefore it is recommended that the child drink 2-3 glasses of still water an hour before the examination.
The ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity of children can be performed by a radiologist or pediatrician.
