Which scan does my child need?
Start from what you have noticed, the router above maps the common reasons parents book. If you are unsure, call 0203 904 4441 and describe it; a clinician will recommend the right scan before you book, and will say honestly if no scan is needed at all.
Do we need a GP referral?
No. You can self-refer your child for any ultrasound here and book online today. If the findings need a paediatric specialist, a referral letter is included.
How do I prepare my child for the appointment?
Mostly: don’t build it up. Ultrasound is warm gel and a smooth probe. No needles, no tunnel, no noise. Bring a favourite toy or a screen for younger children, feed babies just before hip scans so they are settled, and a parent stays beside them the whole time.
Is ultrasound safe for babies and children?
Completely: it uses no radiation at all, which is exactly why it is the first-line imaging for children. It is the same technology used in pregnancy, and there is nothing your child needs to recover from.
Will we get the results the same day?
Yes: the consultant explains the findings to you face to face before you leave, and the written report follows on your secure portal the same day, ready to share with your GP or paediatrician.
Are the prices really all-inclusive?
Yes. Each price includes the appointment, the scan, the consultant’s written report and aftercare advice, and a follow-up scan, where one is advised, is the same published price. No hidden fees.
When should a baby hip ultrasound be done?
Ideally between 0 and 4 weeks for babies with risk factors, breech position, a family history, or a clicky hip at the newborn check. Ultrasound sees the cartilage of a newborn hip perfectly at this age, which is exactly why the window matters. If you are past 4 weeks, call us. It is often still the right test.
What happens if you find something?
The consultant explains it to you in plain English at the scan, including, most often, that all is well. Where follow-up is needed we provide a paediatric referral letter and can arrange the next step quickly, so you are never left holding a report alone.
How much does a child’s ultrasound cost in the UK?
Private paediatric ultrasound in the UK typically runs £200–£500 depending on the area scanned. Here most children’s scans are £300–£450, all-inclusive, the scan, the consultant’s written report and aftercare advice, published on each page before you book.
What does a child abdominal ultrasound show?
Gently, in one sitting:
- Liver, gallbladder and spleen
- Both kidneys and the bladder
- The bowel where it is visible, including intussusception checks
- Any tenderness mapped to what is actually seen
How long does a child’s scan take?
Usually 15–25 minutes, but the honest answer is: as long as your child needs. Appointments are booked with slack so nothing is rushed, wriggles, feeds and toilet breaks included.
Where can I get a children’s ultrasound near me in London?
We are at 99 Harley Street in central London, W1, minutes from Oxford Circus, Bond Street and Regent’s Park stations, with same-day and next-day appointments usually available. Book online or call 0203 904 4441. No GP referral needed.
Why do breech babies, and babies with a family history, need a hip scan?
Babies who were breech in the womb, who have a close relative with hip dysplasia, or whose hips felt unstable at the newborn check are more likely to have developmental dysplasia of the hip. A hip ultrasound at around six weeks shows whether the hip socket and ball are developing normally, and early treatment with a simple harness works far better than treatment found late.
Can hip dysplasia be missed on ultrasound?
A scan performed between about four and twelve weeks by a specialist, using the standard Graf measurements, is reliable and is the test used by the NHS for exactly this reason. Very mild immaturity can resolve on its own and is simply re-checked. After about six months the hips are better assessed with an X-ray, so timing matters, and we advise on it when you book.
Does a sacral dimple mean spina bifida, and does my baby need a spine scan?
Usually not. Most sacral dimples are shallow, sit low within the natal cleft and are harmless. A dimple that is deep, large, high up, off-centre, leaking, or comes with a tuft of hair or a skin mark can rarely be a sign of a tethered cord, and a baby spine ultrasound in the first few months of life looks at this painlessly. Your consultant tells you on the day whether anything further is needed.
How is a baby hip scan done, and will it upset my baby?
Your baby lies on their side on a padded couch, or on your lap, while a little warm gel and a small probe are placed over each hip for a few minutes. There is nothing sharp and no radiation. A feed just before, a dummy or a favourite toy usually keeps a baby settled, and a parent stays throughout.
Can a child’s ultrasound show appendicitis or the cause of tummy pain?
Often, yes. In children, ultrasound is the first-choice test for tummy pain because it uses no radiation: it can show an inflamed appendix, enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen, intussusception, kidney and bladder problems, constipation and ovarian cysts in girls. A child with severe pain, a high temperature or vomiting should be seen in A&E that day rather than booked for a scan.
Can a child’s neck ultrasound check swollen glands?
Yes. Swollen glands in the neck are very common in children after colds and sore throats, and nearly all are reactive and harmless. The scan shows the size, shape and blood flow of each node, which tells reactive nodes from the rare ones that need further tests, and it checks the thyroid and salivary glands at the same time.
