LAB TEST
Echocardiogram - children
An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. It is used with children to help diagnose defects of the heart that are present at birth (congenital). The picture is more detailed than a regular x-ray image. An echocardiogram also does not expose children to radiation.
How the Test is Performed
Your child's health care provider may do the test in a clinic, in a hospital, or at an outpatient center. Echocardiography in children is done either with the child lying down or lying in their parent's lap. This approach can help comfort them and keep them still. For each of these tests, a trained sonographer…
How to Prepare for the Test
You can take these steps to prepare your child before the procedure: Do not allow your child to eat or drink anything prior to having a TEE. Do not use any skin cream or oil on your child before the exam. Explain the test in detail to older children so they understand that they should remain still during the test.…
How the Test will Feel
Your child will need to remove any clothes from the waist up and lie flat on the exam table. Electrodes will be placed on your child's chest to monitor the heartbeat. A gel is applied on the child's chest. It may be cold. A transducer head will be pressed over the gel. The child might feel pressure due to the…
Why the Test is Performed
This test is done to examine the function, heart valves, major blood vessels, and chambers of a child's heart from outside of the body. Your child may have signs or symptoms of heart problems. These may include shortness of breath, poor growth, leg swelling, heart murmur, bluish color around the lips when crying,…
Normal Results
A normal result means that there are no defects in the heart valves or chambers and there is normal heart wall movement.
What Abnormal Results Mean
An abnormal echocardiogram in a child can mean many things. Some abnormal findings are very minor and do not pose significant risks. Others are signs of serious heart disease. In this case, the child may need more tests by a specialist. It is very important to talk about the results of the echocardiogram with your…
Risks
TTE in children does not have any known risk. TEE is an invasive procedure. There may be some risks with this test. Talk with your provider about risks associated with this test.
References
Bernstein D. Laboratory cardiac evaluation. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 472. Campbell RM, Douglas PS, Eidem BW, Lai WW, Lopez L, Sachdeva R. ACC/AAP/AHA/ASE/HRS/SCAI/SCCT/SCMR/SOPE 2014 appropriate use criteria for…
This is a summary. Read the full article at www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org (reviewed 17/02/2024).
This page is general information and is not medical advice. It does not replace a registered doctor, and it is not a prescription or a recommendation to use any medicine or test. Prices are listed prices and may change. Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.