About Pediatric Echo
Key Highlights
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Completely non-invasive, painless, and radiation-free procedure.Provides real-time, detailed images of the heart's structure and function.Essential for diagnosing congenital heart defects from birth.Allows for accurate monitoring of heart conditions over time.Performed by a specialist Pediatric Cardiologist for expert interpretation.No sedation is typically required for older, cooperative children./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Evaluation of a heart murmur heard during a physical exam.
- Suspected or known congenital heart disease (e.g., holes in the heart, valve problems).
- Family history of inherited heart conditions.
- Monitoring of a previously diagnosed heart condition.
- Assessment of heart function before or after cardiac surgery.
- Unexplained symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or poor weight gain in infants.
- Evaluation for certain genetic syndromes associated with heart defects.
How to prepare
- For infants and young children, scheduling during nap time or feeding them just before can help keep them calm.
- Older children should wear a comfortable, two-piece outfit for easy access to the chest.
- No fasting or sedation is usually required for a standard transthoracic echo.
- For a sedated echo (for very anxious or uncooperative children), specific fasting instructions will be provided.
- Parents should bring comfort items like a favorite toy, blanket, or bottle.
- Explain the procedure in simple, reassuring terms to reduce the child's anxiety.
Risks & possible complications
- There are virtually no risks associated with a standard transthoracic echocardiogram.
- The ultrasound gel may feel cool, and there is minor pressure from the transducer probe.
- If sedation is required, there is a small risk of an allergic reaction to the sedative or breathing difficulties, which are closely monitored.
- Skin irritation from the gel is extremely rare.
- The procedure itself carries no risk of radiation exposure.
Recovery & hospital stay
- There is no recovery period for a standard echo; the child can resume normal activities immediately.
- The ultrasound gel is wiped off the skin after the test.
- If sedation was used, the child will be monitored in a recovery area until fully awake and alert.
- Post-sedation, the child may be groggy for a few hours and should avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day.
- The Pediatric Cardiologist will review the images and discuss the findings and any next steps with the parents.
- No special post-procedure care is needed.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0 days (immediate)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering pediatric echo in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric cardiology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform pediatric echo. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric cardiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for pediatric echo compare across other countries where we have data.
James Williams is a 6-year-old boy...
James Williams is a 6-year-old boy who loves soccer. He was born with a small ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole between the lower chambers of his heart, which was being monitored. At his last check-up, his pediatrician heard a new, louder heart murmur. James had also started tiring more easily during games, needing frequent breaks his teammates didn't. His pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Evans, recommended a pediatric echocardiogram to get a detailed, real-time ultrasound image of his heart's structure and function, to see if the VSD had changed or if there were new concerns. During the echo, a child-life specialist helped James stay calm. The room was dim, and he watched cartoons while the sonographer applied warm gel and moved the transducer over his chest. It was painless, though he had to lie still. The images showed the VSD had not closed as hoped and was now causing moderate blood flow issues. The clear results allowed Dr. Evans to confidently recommend a minimally invasive cardiac catheterization to repair it. While anxious about the new diagnosis, James's parents felt immense relief having a definitive answer and a clear treatment path. Their journey shifted from worried uncertainty to a focused plan, giving them hope for James to return to the soccer field with full energy.
Pediatric Cardiologists for Pediatric Echo
Explore experienced pediatric cardiologists who regularly perform pediatric echo and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 20 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi
- 18 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, Bangalore
- 1 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata