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Home Clinical Services Division of Ultrasound How to Prepare
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Receptionists Christine and Angela
Most examinations require no special patient preparation. However, some exams DO require special preparation, such as an empty stomach or full bladder. The examinations that require preparation are listed below. If these guidelines are not carefully followed, your examination may be delayed:

Abdominal Ultrasound

Age < 2 months: No feedings for 2 hours prior to the exam.
Age 3 months to 1 year: Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the exam.
Age 1-8 years: Nothing to eat or drink for 5 hours prior to the exam (the last meal should be a low fat meal).
More than 8 years old: Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the exam (the last meal should be a low fat meal).

Abdomen and Pelvic Ultrasound
The instructions are the same as for an abdominal ultrasound, with the exception that children who are one year old or more should be encouraged to drink water prior to the exam and should not empty their bladder. We need a full urinary bladder to see the organs in the pelvis. Prior to the age of toilet training, or in situations where the child is not continent, we will do our best to image when the bladder is as full as possible. We may give your child water and ask you to wait for a period of time in our department until your child's bladder is full.
Pelvic Ultrasound
There are no limitations to eating prior to pelvic ultrasound alone. A very full urinary bladder IS required to view the organs in the pelvis, so fluids should be encouraged. Do not empty your bladder prior to the examination. Prior to the age of toilet training, or in situations where the child is not continent, we will do our best to image when the bladder is as full as possible. We may give your child water and ask you to wait for a period of time in our department until your child's bladder is full.
Renal Ultrasound
Generally, no preparation is required. However, if symptoms include painless hematuria (blood in the urine), we will want to scan when the child has a full bladder. Fluids should be encouraged in this situation and the child should not empty their bladder prior to the exam.
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