Ultrasound in preschool children – a survey
Ultrasound examination, as a non-invasive and safe procedure which does not require premedication, is increasingly commonly used by paediatricians. Special focus is placed on its use in early detection of cancer in children. The aim of this study was to determine how frequently and for what reason...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Medical Communications Sp. z o.o.
2017-06-01
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| Series: | Pediatria i Medycyna Rodzinna |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.pimr.pl/index.php/issues/2017-vol-13-no-2/ultrasound-in-preschool-children-a-survey?aid=1069 |
| Summary: | Ultrasound examination, as a non-invasive and safe procedure which does not require premedication, is increasingly
commonly used by paediatricians. Special focus is placed on its use in early detection of cancer in children. The aim of this
study was to determine how frequently and for what reason paediatricians ordered ultrasound examination as well as the
outcome of the procedure. The study team conducted an anonymous survey among the parents of children attending
kindergartens in the districts of Ochota and Mokotów in the capital of Poland, Warsaw. Questionnaires obtained from the
parents of 336 preschool children aged 3–6 years were included in the study. By the date of the survey over 27% of children
had not had any ultrasound examination and 32.44% had only one. More than half of the children (52.38%) were referred
to ultrasound by a paediatrician during an office or home visit. The most common reason for the first ultrasound examination
was check-up of a healthy child with no previous pathologies in a given area (41.04%). The most common location of the
first ultrasound scan indicated by the respondents was the abdominal cavity (56.18%). For 254 ultrasound scans, 38 cases
(14.96%) required further diagnostic investigation, specialist consultation or hospitalisation. 2.05% of scans revealed a suspected cancer lesion and 3.64% showed a congenital defect. By the date of the survey 27.16% of children had undergone
other types of diagnostic imaging. 77.74% of parents would like their child to undergo annual preventative ultrasound scans.
It is worth noting that it is increasingly more common for paediatricians to order ultrasound examination for healthy children
as well, as a check-up. Increased parents’ awareness has also been observed. |
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| ISSN: | 1734-1531 2451-0742 |