Neurosonography (NSG) - Ultrasound Scanning of Infants' Brains

Safety of Neurosonography for Infants

When a doctor recommends a brain ultrasound for your child, two questions typically arise: "Why?" and "Is it safe for them?"

Ultrasound waves are mechanical vibrations of high frequency. During an ultrasound examination, the patient is not exposed to any radiation. This non-invasive, non-ionizing method of imaging an infant's brain is completely safe, with the examination lasting up to 10 minutes. In practice, there have been no complications or adverse effects on a child's condition associated with NSG. Infants undergoing NSG during sleep often do not even wake up.

Indications for Performing and Obtaining a Neurosonogram

The indications for conducting ultrasound examinations of infants and their brains include:

• Gestational age less than 36 weeks.
• Birth weight under 2800 grams.
• An Apgar score of less than 7 points at five minutes after birth.
• Clinical signs of central nervous system damage.
• Multiple stigmata of dysmorphogenesis.
• A history of chronic intrauterine hypoxia or birth asphyxia.
• Respiratory distress syndrome.
• Infectious diseases in the mother or child.
• Deterioration in the infant's condition.
• Transfer to the intensive care unit.