A common non-invasive technique for monitoring our health is ultrasound, which is used to check on the kidneys and bladder among other things. This non-invasive procedure allows pediatric patients’ internal organs to be seen by medical professionals. However, what precisely can be seen on an ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys, and why is it crucial for children?
Upon performing an ultrasound on these organs in a child, the physicians are searching for multiple important factors. They look for any anomalies in the kidneys’ and bladder’s sizes, shapes, or structures. This can assist in identifying problems that may impact the child’s urinary system, such as infections, obstructions, or congenital conditions.
Ultrasonography is frequently performed as a prophylactic measure or in response to particular symptoms a child may be exhibiting, such as pain or recurrent urinary infections. Doctors can accurately diagnose patients and recommend the best course of treatment to keep the child healthy with the use of ultrasound.
About the study
Kidney and bladder ultrasounds are non-invasive techniques used to assess the condition of the urinary system. Naturally, ultrasonography alone cannot fully evaluate the features of the anatomical structure and the operation of the system’s links, even though these diagnostics are thought to be extremely accurate and comprehensive. However, if the child exhibits symptoms indicative of a urinary pathology, ultrasonography is an essential component of the examination, in addition to blood and urine tests.
The child will not feel any unpleasant sensations during the procedure; it is completely painless.
Medicine provides an official response regarding the risk of ultrasonography exams: the procedure is safe. However, a lot of parents are concerned about the potential effects of ultrasound exposure on their child’s body. In fact, not all of the effects have received enough attention in research to date. This kind of diagnostic tool has only been available to modern medicine for the past 25 years. Much more time is required to analyze the long-term effects. However, there is no information regarding the direct or indirect harm that ultrasonic waves can do to a child’s body. Because of this, the process is regarded as safe.
The essence of the method is that ultrasound waves from the sensor penetrate through the tissues and are reflected, sending a response signal to the monitor as an image. A special computer program, which is in every ultrasound scanner, allows the doctor to quickly understand the size, amount of fluid, and other features without resorting to complex mathematical calculations. Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder in a simplified form is included in the study of abdominal organs and is recommended by the Ministry of Health for all children as part of a medical preventive examination at 1 or 3 months, and then after a year. At any other time, such a study can be performed separately, without assessing other abdominal organs (stomach, spleen, liver, etc.). d. ) according to indications.
Additionally, this kind of ultrasound was included in the medical examination program for children under the age of one and a half years old by specialists from the Ministry of Health. This is because there has been a notable rise in the number of children receiving advanced diagnoses for kidney, ureter, bladder, and adrenal diseases in recent times.
Children’s kidney and bladder ultrasounds are non-invasive diagnostic procedures that assist medical professionals in looking for problems with these organs. The purpose of the examination is to find any anomalies that might have an impact on the child’s health, such as infections, obstructions, or structural issues. This process is crucial for the child’s development and well-being because it enables the early identification and treatment of possible problems.
Indications
- if the color or amount of urine changes, if an unpleasant pungent odor appears;
- if newborns or infants cry during urination or complain of pain when emptying the bladder in older children;
- if there is a small amount of urine or, conversely, if there is increased diuresis;
- if impurities are visible to the naked eye in the liquid – flakes, pus, blood;
- if the child has anemia, pale skin, dark circles under the eyes;
- pain in the lower back, in the side;
- closed blunt abdominal trauma, which a child can receive when falling on his stomach.
Furthermore, an unquestionable rationale for recommending such diagnostics is a shift in the urine’s biochemical makeup.
If your child and you are both complaint-free and the doctor believes the urine tests are poor, he has an obligation to refer your child for an ultrasonography scan of the kidneys and bladder to determine whether the child needs to be treated or not, or if there was a mistake in the lab.
Preparation
Usually, the referring physician will let you know if any prior preparation is required for the exam. The mother should remember that preparation is essential, even if the doctor neglected to inform the parents about it. It should also be extremely detailed. It is dependent upon how accurate the test findings are. Your child needs to be ready for the examination process well in advance; start getting ready two to three days before the scheduled visit to the diagnostic room.
- Foods that stimulate gas formation in the intestines should be excluded from the child"s diet. These are fermented milk products, carbonated drinks, bananas and grapes, as well as baked goods, bread and legumes, white cabbage.
- You should not give the child anything to eat at least three hours before the examination.
- An hour before the examination, the child should be given water to drink. The bladder should be full. This will help the doctor correctly assess the amount of residual urine, understand the condition of the bladder and ureters. Children aged 1 to 3 years are given 100-150 ml of water or fruit drink, children aged 3 to 7 years are offered a glass (250 ml) of liquid, schoolchildren aged 7 to 12 years – at least 400 ml, teenagers older – 600-800 ml.
No specific dietary guidelines are needed for a child under one year old who is breastfed. The child must not be fed during the diagnostic procedure; that is the only prerequisite. It is preferable to have an examination prior to the following feeding. Give the baby about 50 ml of liquid 30 minutes before the ultrasound, but keep in mind that no one can guarantee he will hold it. At this young age, the baby will most likely not ask for your permission to urinate if he needs to.
It is necessary for you to bring a change of clothes, an extra pair of shoes, and some attention-getting mommy tricks to the ultrasound room. If the child is small, this could be a rattle, pacifier, or an intriguing object that the child has always wanted to reach, like your glasses. The doctor can finish the examination calmly if the child is distracted.
If the child is old enough to understand explanations, explain to him how the procedure works and emphasize that it won’t hurt in the slightest and won’t be frightening. The child needs to be ready mentally.
How it is carried out?
The examination takes place while the child is lying down on a couch. Depending on the child’s age, the doctor may occasionally ask him to sit up. They ask him to stand up if they suspect kidney prolapse. However, you will be required to lie on your side, stomach, or back throughout the examination. The doctor will have the most comprehensive view in these positions for the external sensor used to perform the examination.
A unique colorless gel that has no smell and doesn’t irritate the skin locally is used to improve the sensor’s sliding and the ultrasound waves’ penetration. It is used on the sides, lower back, and abdomen. Using a disposable dry paper napkin, the gel is easily removed after the examination and does not leave any marks on clothing.
The protocol, which is released right away following the conclusion of the diagnosis, contains the research data.
| What an Ultrasound Shows | Why It"s Done |
| Size and shape of kidneys and bladder | To check for any abnormalities or issues with these organs |
| Presence of cysts or tumors | To identify any growths or masses that may require further investigation |
| Urinary tract blockages | To detect any obstructions that could affect urine flow |
| Kidney stones | To find any stones that may be causing pain or other symptoms |
| Bladder function and wall thickness | To assess how well the bladder is functioning and if there are any issues with its structure |
An understanding of the findings from a kidney and bladder ultrasound can provide parents with important information about the health of their child. Doctors can check the size, shape, and general health of these organs with the aid of this easy, non-invasive test to make sure everything is operating as it should.
This kind of ultrasound is frequently used on kids to look into symptoms like persistent UTIs, unexplained pain, or problems urinating. If there are any concerns regarding anomalies or congenital conditions, it may also be a part of routine examinations.
All things considered, kidney and bladder ultrasounds are a helpful tool for maintaining the health of your child’s urinary system. They offer sharp images that aid in the early diagnosis of any possible problems, which is essential for efficient treatment and parent peace of mind.
