Pediatric echocardiography is a branch of echocardiography that is specifically for children. It is used to detect diseases and dysfunction that may be present in patient’s heart, who are in the early stages of their life. It is a visualizing technique that uses ultrasound waves to create images on a monitor.

The process of pediatric echocardiography usually takes place in a relaxed and child-friendly environment. The following are the steps taken:

• The child should lie down, turned slightly on their side. Any clothes from the waist-up shall be removed.
• A smooth gel that is harmless in nature will be applied to the chest area above the heart. A transducer will be moved gently over the area.
• This transducer emits and gathers soundwaves that reflect from the heart area, making an image on the monitor.
• A computer interprets the signals from the transducer to make an image of the heart come on the screen. This image is recorded digitally for the cardiologist to measure and review.

• Sedation according to the age will be given
• No contraindications with feeding

No there are no such risks or side effects of pediatric echocardiography on children. It is a completely safe, painless and no radiation process.

Echocardiograms are usually the best tests to demonstrate the anatomy and function of the parts of the heart. The echocardiogram is used for quantifying the size and thickness of the heart chambers, and how efficiently the heart is pumping blood across those chambers. The echocardiogram can find out structural abnormalities of the heart. These may include:

• Holes between the chambers
• Fluid around the heart
• Mass inside the heart
• Valve shape deformities
• Abnormal blood flow.

There are different types of pediatric echocardiography that you can have for your child. They are briefly discussed below:

• M-hole ( Makes a trace of the heart)
• Doppler (Determine blood flow)
• Color-Doppler (Visualize blood flow)
• 2-D ( Echo-view of the structure)

It takes about 20-40 minutes to conduct the whole process.