![]() ![]() You can tell your child that the equipment takes pictures of the belly, and encourage him or her to ask the technician questions. Explaining in simple terms how the abdominal ultrasound will be conducted and why it's being done can help ease any fears. ![]() Some younger children may be afraid of the machinery used for the ultrasound. Unlike X-rays, radiation isn't involved with this test. No risks are associated with an abdominal ultrasound. In most cases, results can't be given directly to the patient or family at the time of the test. Otherwise, they're usually ready in 1-2 days. In an emergency, the results of an ultrasound can be available quickly. If the test results appear abnormal, your doctor may order further tests. Getting the ResultsĪ radiologist (a doctor who's specially trained in reading and interpreting X-ray and ultrasound images) will interpret the ultrasound results and then give the information to your doctor, who will review the results with you. The technician may ask your child to lie in different positions or hold his or her breath briefly.īabies might cry in the ultrasound room, especially if they're restrained, but this won't interfere with the procedure. You'll need to tell your child to lie still during the procedure so the sound waves can reach the area effectively. Your child may feel a slight pressure on the belly as the transducer is moved over the body, and the gel may feel wet or cold. The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes. ![]() Sometimes a doctor will come in at the end of the test to meet your child and take a few more pictures. The computer changes those sound waves into images to be analyzed. The transducer emits high-frequency sound waves and a computer measures how the sound waves bounce back from the body. The technician will then move a small wand (transducer) over the gel. This gel helps with the transmission of the sound waves. A technician (sonographer) trained in ultrasound imaging will spread a clear, warm gel on the skin of the abdomen. The room is usually dark so the images can be seen clearly on the computer screen. Your child will be asked to change into a cloth gown and lie on a table. Parents usually can accompany their child to provide reassurance and support. The abdominal ultrasound usually will be done in the radiology department of a hospital or in a radiology center. You should tell the technician about any medications your child is taking before the test begins. In an emergency situation, however, an abdominal ultrasound may be performed without any preparation. In routine cases, children often require some prepping before an abdominal ultrasound, and your doctor may ask that your child not eat or drink anything for several hours before the test. Abdominal ultrasounds also are used to monitor the growth and development of a baby in the uterus during pregnancy.
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