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An Echocardiogram is an examination of the heart using ultrasound. It is commonly used to view the structure and components of the heart. It allows us to measure the heart size and look at how well the heart is working.
It is a safe and painless test.
The echocardiogram takes about 1 hour in total.
You will need to lie on a bed, still and relaxed, while the technician uses a little bit of gel and a transducer (like a small microphone) to look at your heart. You may hear some noises in relation to the blood flow through the heart.
Paediatric Echocardiogram.
Please reassure your child that the test will not hurt, and there are no needles involved.
You may stay in the room with your child during the test.
We have a VCR, and during the test your child will be able to watch a video (yours or ours!)
If sedation is required, it will be administered on the childrens ward (ward 10).
For 0-2 year olds:
If possible try to co-ordinate a feed/sleep time just prior to the Echo. This may help to settle your child.
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