Abdominal ultrasound enables the doctors to see the composition of the upper abdomen. The ultrasound uses sound waves to get a clear picture and find the root cause of the pain. Any kind of enlargement or abnormality in the area can be analyzed with the help of an ultrasound. The requirement of abdominal ultrasound for children can be uncertain. Children might not have the correct judgment of the intensity of pain. They can either exaggerate or undermine the pain while expressing it. The necessity of for an ultrasound is best to be left to the judgment of parents, guardians, or doctors.

How abdominal ultrasounds work

Ultrasound is a highly safe and noninvasive process. It does not cause any pain. A gel is applied to the abdominal region and a probe is placed over it and moved around. High-frequency sound waves travel through the probe. A real image is formed when the sound waves bounce back from within. The test does not need any preparation until specified by the doctor. If there is a restriction on food and water, the patient will be informed beforehand. There should be no accessories while the procedure is being done. The test brings out any problem present in the abdomen.

The common causes of abdominal pain in children

It is not easy to grasp the cause of abdominal pain in children. Below are a few reasons why it could happen-

• Children tend to eat many things which are not good for their body. They either eat too much or too little. Either way, these can lead to many problems and pain. Gas, indigestion, and constipation are very common. This is the method in which the body rejects what was consumed before. In such cases, pain is diffused in the abdomen and not focused in an area. Abdominal ultrasound information helps to dig deeper into the problem.
• Pain in the upper abdomen which lasts for a few hours could be because of biliary colic. Vomiting, nausea and low temperature are a few of the other symptoms to look out for. This condition occurs when there are gallstones present in the bile when the gallbladder isn’t relieved at regular intervals.
• Appendicitis or acute appendicitis is another cause. The pain is in the central region and does not have any rigidity locally.
• Bowel obstruction can also be the source of pain in children. This occurs when there is something blocking the passage of large intestine or the small intestine, prevent bowel movements. Obstruction can be caused by various things like a hernia, swollen bowel, or some sort of growth in the passageway. The pain is cramping in nature and is severe.
• Young girls may experience period cramps even before their menstrual cycle starts. The pain is similar to period cramps. There is no need for further investigation as it is not harmful.
• Peptic ulcers, which are rare in children, can cause burning pain in between the breastbone and the belly. Ulcers can be in the stomach, called peptic ulcers or in the intestine, called duodenal ulcers. They can occur due to the consumption of spicy food.
• Generalized pain can be due to viruses. Renal colic is caused due to gas stones and the pain experienced, comes in waves. It is caused due to the presence of kidney stones. It usually occurs in infants.

Appendicitis, diarrhea and many other reasons also lead to discomfort in kids. Since children are dependent on their parents, it is important to be alert and observe the child, especially infants. The test helps the physician determine the source of the problem. The ultrasound shows any swelling or fluid secreted in and around the organs. Abdominal ultrasound is effective when there is no immediate clinical explanation for the pain experienced by children.