When Your Child Needs an Abdominal Ultrasound

An abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to take pictures of abdominal organs. It’s painless and noninvasive and does not involve any radiation exposure. It’s often used to assess abdominal pain or to find problems like enlarged organs. An abdominal ultrasound takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

Before the ultrasound

What to expect before the ultrasound: 

  • What your child needs to do to get ready for the test depends on the area of the body that will be looked at. Follow any directions you’re given for having your child not eat or drink before the procedure. Your child’s health care provider will give you instructions if needed.

  • Your child may be asked to have a full bladder for the test.

  • Follow all other instructions given by the provider.

Let the sonographer know

For best results, let the sonographer know if your child:

  • Has had abdominal surgery.

  • Has had ultrasounds before.

  • Has any health problems.

  • Is taking any medicines.

During the ultrasound

An ultrasound is usually done by a sonographer, a radiologist, or another health care provider. After the exam, the images will be reviewed and reported to your child's doctor. Your provider will talk with you about the results.

Child lying on exam table. Health care provider is holding ultrasound transducer to child's abdomen and looking at image on monitor. Woman standing nearby.

  • You can stay with your child in the exam room. Your child can also bring a favorite toy or object, such as a stuffed animal or blanket, for comfort.

  • Your child lies on an exam table with their belly uncovered.

  • Clear, nongreasy gel is applied to your child’s skin.

  • A handheld probe (transducer) is moved across your child’s belly.

  • Sound waves from the transducer are processed by a computer. Images of your child’s abdominal organs are seen on a computer screen. 

  • Your child may be asked to take deep breaths and hold them, or roll from side to side.

The sonographer can't give results

Although the sonographer can answer questions about the test, only a health care provider can explain the results. 

After the ultrasound

What to expect after the ultrasound: 

  • Unless told not to, your child can return to their normal routine and diet right away.

  • The ultrasound images are reviewed by a radiologist, who may discuss early results with you. A report is sent to your child’s doctor, who follows up with complete results.

Helping your child get ready

You can help your child by preparing in advance. How you do this depends on your child’s needs:

  • Explain the test to your child in brief and simple terms. Younger children have shorter attention spans, so do this just before the test. Older children can be given more time to understand the test in advance. 

  • Make sure your child understands which body part is being tested. You can tell your child that an abdominal ultrasound checks for problems around the tummy or belly.

  • As best you can, describe how the test will feel. There should be no pain when the probe is moved across the belly. This motion may make your child feel ticklish. If your child is told to have a full bladder for the test, it may cause some pressure.

  • Allow your child to ask questions.

  • Use play when helpful. This can involve role-playing with a child’s favorite toy or object. It may help older children to see pictures of what happens during the test.

Possible risks

There are no known risks or complications linked to abdominal ultrasounds.