The information below is about a procedure at the Queensland Children's Hospital and may not apply to other hospitals and health facilities.
An ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to capture live images of inside the body. It doesn’t use radiation.
Why does my child need an ultrasound?
Your child may need an ultrasound if they have pain, swelling, or other symptoms. Having an ultrasound will help us find out what’s causing their problem.
Before the ultrasound
If your child has special nutritional requirements, let us know before their scheduled appointment. We may need to make changes to the preparation process. You can call us on 07 3068 3100.
On the day of the ultrasound
Make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes before the appointment time. If you’re running more than 15 minutes late, call us on 07 3068 3100.
If you’re running extremely late, or aren’t correctly prepared for your child’s appointment, we may need to reschedule it.
Preparing for the procedure
Before you leave for your child’s appointment, make sure you have their original referral or request form, you’ll need to bring this with you.
We recommend you bring your child’s favourite toy, a blanket or a gaming or smart device to keep them distracted while they’re having their ultrasound.
Depending on what area your child is getting an ultrasound for they may have to fast or drink water.
Abdomen ultrasound
Your child will need to fast before the ultrasound, for how long will depend on their age. When you come to the appointment, make sure you bring something for them to eat afterwards.
When it’s hot you child might dehydrate. If they do, give them water, even if they’re fasting.
Under 2 years
Don’t feed your child for 2 hours before their appointment.
2 to 6 years
Don’t give your child food or drink, except water, for 4 hours before their appointment.
6 years and over
Don’t give your child food or drink, except water, for 6 hours before their appointment.
Pelvis or renal ultrasound
Your child will need to drink before the ultrasound. How much they need to drink depends on their age. Once your child has had their drink, try not to let them go to the toilet. Their bladder needs to be full.
Under 2 years
Give your child a bottle 30 minutes before their appointment. You should also bring a bottle to help settle them during the scan.
2 to 6 years
Your child should drink 250ml or 1 glass of water or clear fluid 30 minutes before their appointment.
6 to 12 years
Your child should drink 500ml or 2 glasses of water or clear fluid one hour before their appointment.
12 years and over
Your child should drink 750ml or 3 glasses of water or clear fluid one hour before their appointment.
Abdomen and pelvis ultrasound
Your child will need to drink before the ultrasound. How much they need to drink depends on their age. Once your child has had their drink, try not to let them go to the toilet. Their bladder needs to be full.
When you come to the appointment, make sure you bring something for them to eat afterwards.
Under 2 years
Don’t feed your child for 2 hours before their appointment. However, you should bring a bottle to help settle them during the scan.
2 to 6 years
Before your child’s appointment:
- don’t feed them for 4 hours
- get them to drink 250ml or 1 glass of water or clear fluid 30 minutes before.
6 to 12 years
Before your child’s appointment:
- don’t feed them for 6 hours
- get them to drink 500ml or 2 glasses of water or clear fluid one hour before.
12 years and over
Before you child’s appointment:
- don’t feed them for 6 hours
- get them to drink 750ml or 3 glasses of water or clear fluid 30 minutes before.
Pylorus ultrasound – for newborn babies
Bring a bottle of milk or water for your baby to have during their scan.
Watch a video on having an ultrasound
Meet Claudia and find out more about what it’s like to have an ultrasound.
Claudia: Hi, I'm Claudia, and today I'm in the Department of Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine. I'm gonna be showing you what happens when you need an ultrasound scan and what it is.
When you come for a scan, you will need to check in with the front desk and then wait for the sonographer to call your name. The sonographers, the person who does the scan. Now, this is the exciting bit. But before we get started, the sonographer will ask you three questions.
Sonographer: What's your name, date of birth, and address?
Claudia: Make sure you get these right.
So what exactly is an ultrasound scan?
Sonographer: Well, basically an ultrasound scan uses sound waves to see the inside of your body. We use this ultrasound camera and some of my ultrasound gel. Basically, the sound comes out of the camera, it goes back into the camera, and then all that sound information is turned into a picture, which we display on our monitor.
Would it be all right if I scanned you and showed you your kidney?
Claudia: Yeah, sure.
Sonographer: Awesome. Let me just line everything up here. All right, there we go. So this here is your kidney. The black and white bits here are the main part of your kidney and the red and blue bits to pick the blood flowing in and out of your kidney.
What do you think?
Claudia: Yeah, so cool. Thanks for that. I'm gonna wipe this gel off now.
There are lots of different body parts that can be scanned. After the scan, a doctor called a radiologist will write a report and the images will be kept for safekeeping. So if you ever need to have an ultrasound scan done, these are some key points to remember.
This sound needs a sound wave to see your body. This scan is quick and painless, and you can always pack some toys to play with during the scan and maybe even score a treat afterwards.
Last updated: October 2023