Ultrasound uses sound waves to take pictures of structures inside your body. These sound waves echo from the body to create a picture onto the computer screen. This computer screen is a large ultrasound machine on wheels.
The human ear cannot hear these sound wave echoes, so a special wand called a transducer (like a camera) is used to take pictures.
Show AllOne of our sonographers will escort you into one of our scan rooms. The rooms are kept fairly dark so that we can see the screen (just like a movie theater). Your child will be placed on a soft table for at least 30 minutes or longer. The sonographer will then place warm lotion onto your child’s body and take pictures for the doctor. The lotion is clear and easily removable. The sonographer will slide the transducer that acts like a camera across the part of the body being examined. Sometimes during ultrasound, the doctor even comes in and scans too. The ultrasound test does not hurt and ultrasound waves will not harm your child. Parents are encouraged to stay with your child during the test. Please have your child wear loose clothing. During the ultrasound test, your child will need to lie fairly still on the table, so it is a good idea to bring their favorite DVD or VHS tape to watch. If you forget we have a whole selection of movies to choose from.
Before coming to the hospital read the explanation and explain to your child what will happen during the ultrasound test. If you child is an infant and drinks from a bottle, it is a good idea to bring along a bottle for a baby to drink during the test. Also bring a pacifier or special toy to help calm your child. For older children, bring books, or electronic games to occupy them while waiting.
There are different preparations to follow, according to your child’s age and the part of the body being examined. Please pay close attention to the following instructions for your child’s scheduled test.
Abdomen Ultrasounds
Your child cannot have anything to eat or drink before the study. The number of hours that your child cannot eat depends on their age. The times are as follows:
- Newborn to 2 years: Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to test
- 3 to 8 years of age: Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to test
- 9 years and older: Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to test
Liver Transplant Ultrasounds
- Infant-8 years: Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to test
- 9 years and older: Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to test
Renal or Kidney Ultrasounds
2 months to 1 year: Nothing to eat or drink for 3 hours prior to test and bring a bottle to feed the baby during the test.
There are no food restrictions prior to the exam for children 1 yr and older, but we do need your child to have a full bladder if possible.
Drink:
- 1-3 years: 4-6 ounces of fluids 30 minutes before the test.
- 4-6 years: 8-12 ounces of fluids 30 minutes to one hour prior to test. Do not empty bladder before the exam.
- 7-12 years: 12-16 ounces of fluids 30 minutes to one hour prior to test. Do not empty bladder before the exam.
- 13-18 years: 16-18 ounces of fluids one hour prior to test. Do not empty bladder before the exam.
Pelvic Ultrasounds
There are no food restrictions prior to the exam, but we do need your child to have a full bladder. We need them to drink (preferably water):
- Under 5 years: 8-12 ounces one hour prior to test. Do not empty bladder.
- 5-12 years: 12-16 ounces one hour prior to test. Do not empty bladder.
- 12-18 year: 18-24 ounces one hour prior to test. Do not empty bladder.
Pyloris, Hip, Spine and Head Ultrasounds
Nothing to eat or drink 3 hours prior to test (bring a bottle to feed baby during study).
There are no special preparations needed for the following exams:
- Extremity Ultrasounds
- Doppler Venous Extremity (DVT) Ultrasounds
- Thyroid Ultrasounds
- Scrotum or Testicular Ultrasounds
- Soft tissue mass Ultrasounds
When the test is over, your child may return to regular daily activities and meals. The report of the test results will be available to your doctor within a 24 hour period.
