Hip screening in infancy
Ideally, the non-mandatory (but recommended by experts) ultrasound hip screening is performed when the baby is 6-8 weeks old, the primary purpose of which is the early detection of disorders affecting the hip (for example, hip sprain). It is important to be screened as soon as possible, because the curability of hip deformities and the duration of the necessary treatment are significantly affected by when the treatment begins.
The examination is recommended for all babies, especially if there has been a history of hip problems or kidney disorders in the family.
During the ultrasound, the specialist examines the development of the bones and cartilage, and checks whether there is a sprain.
Hip screening can be performed up to 5-6 months of age. (By this time, the head of the femur is cartilaginous).
Cranial ultrasound in a baby
It is possible to have an ultrasound examination until the baby is 6 months old, i.e. until the ossification of the skull. Through the probe, the baby's brain becomes visible and can be examined by ultrasound. (Among other things, brain ventricular enlargement and developmental disorders can be diagnosed.)
Abdominal ultrasound of the baby
Abdominal ultrasound examination can be performed at any age, is completely painless, and is not unpleasant for the baby. Vomiting occurs when the stomach contents are ejected in a stream with great force. If this happens more than once, or if there are accompanying symptoms, such as fever, lethargy, drowsiness, take your baby to the doctor!
If the baby regularly vomits at the age of 4-6 weeks, the baby is difficult to feed, his weight development stops, his face is troubled and he cries a lot, fussing, then you should think about a narrowing of the gastric outlet (pyloric stenosis). This is more common in male babies.
During the examination of the abdomen, the liver, gall bladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, bladder and pelvic organs are examined. Congenital malformations and diseases that require treatment or regular monitoring can be recognized. Examples include dilation of the cavity system of the kidneys and the ureter, or cystic disease of the kidneys. Pyloric stenosis can be accurately diagnosed, this is wall thickening and narrowing of the stomach outlet.
Examining reflux by ultrasound is no longer considered modern, so our center does not perform infant ultrasound examinations for this purpose.
Abdominal ultrasound in infancy does not require any preparation, but in order to make it easier to examine, it is good if the baby has breastfed before the examination.
In addition to the purpose of screening, in the event of swelling, abdominal complaints, joint problems, or developmental delay, a pediatric radiological examination is also necessary, in which case we also first use an ultrasound.
