Why might my child need an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound?
The most common reasons are:
- Recurring or persistent tummy pain
- Bloating, constipation or a change in bowel habit
- A urinary infection, or wetting that has started again
- A lump or fullness felt by you or a doctor
- Unexplained fever, weight loss or poor growth
- Follow-up of something found on an earlier scan
When does my child need urgent care rather than a routine scan?
Go to A&E or call 999 if your child has:
- Severe tummy pain that is getting worse, or pain that moves to the lower right side
- Pain with vomiting green fluid, blood in vomit or poo, or a swollen hard tummy
- Episodes of screaming and drawing up the legs in a baby or toddler
- Pain with a high fever, floppiness or a rash that does not fade
These need urgent care, not a clinic booking.
What causes recurring tummy pain in children?
Most recurring tummy pain in children is not caused by anything serious. Common causes include constipation, functional abdominal pain, reactive lymph nodes after a viral illness (mesenteric adenitis), anxiety, urinary infections and food intolerance. A scan helps rule out structural causes, such as kidney problems, gallstones or ovarian cysts, so the right treatment can be planned.
What organs does the scan check?
A child abdomen and pelvic ultrasound examines:
- The liver, gallbladder, spleen and pancreas
- Both kidneys and the bladder
- The lymph nodes in the tummy
- The appendix and bowel, where visible
- The pelvic organs, where the question warrants
Each is measured against children’s reference ranges.
What are the common findings, and what do they mean?
Most scans are reassuring. Common findings include enlarged but benign lymph nodes (mesenteric adenitis), signs of constipation, mild widening of the kidney drainage system, and ovarian cysts in girls around puberty. Your specialist explains exactly what was seen, what it means and whether anything needs follow-up.
Can stomach pain in a child be serious?
Occasionally. Most childhood tummy pain settles on its own, but pain that wakes your child at night, comes with weight loss, blood in the poo, repeated vomiting or a fever, or is getting steadily worse should be assessed. A scan is a gentle way to look for causes, and the urgent warning signs above always mean A&E.
How does the scan work?
Your child lies on the couch while a small probe with warm gel moves gently over their tummy. The specialist watches the screen, measures each organ and explains what they see. It takes around twenty to thirty minutes, is painless and uses no radiation.
Is an ultrasound safe for my child?
Yes. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and needs no needles or sedation. It is the recommended first test for tummy problems in children precisely because it is so gentle, and it can be repeated safely whenever follow-up is needed.
How should I prepare my child for the scan?
If your child can manage it, avoid food for around four hours beforehand, with water allowed; babies can be scanned just before a feed. Ask them to drink a glass or two of water before arriving so their bladder is comfortably full. Explain simply that the scan uses jelly and a camera and does not hurt, and bring a favourite toy or tablet.
What should I expect on the day of my child’s scan?
A calm, unhurried appointment. You stay with your child throughout, the room is quiet, and the specialist goes at your child’s pace. After the scan the findings are explained to you, and your child can eat, play and go back to school or nursery straight away.
How do you scan a wriggly child?
Patiently, and at their pace. Cartoons help, a parent right beside the couch helps more, and the gel is warmed. Ultrasound works in real time, so there is no need for a child to stay perfectly still for long, and our specialists are used to working around wriggles, giggles and the occasional tear.
Can an abdominal ultrasound detect appendicitis in a child?
Ultrasound can often show an inflamed appendix in children, which is why it is used in hospital. But suspected appendicitis is an emergency: if your child has worsening pain, particularly in the lower right side, with vomiting or fever, go to A&E rather than booking a clinic scan.
When will I get my child’s results?
You will know the findings before you leave, because the specialist explains them during the appointment. The written report is usually on your secure patient portal the same day, ready to share with your GP or paediatrician.
How much does a private child abdomen and pelvic ultrasound cost?
At Harley Street Ultrasound a private child abdomen and pelvic ultrasound costs £450, all fees inclusive: the full examination, the specialist’s time and your written report. Same-day or next-day appointments are usually available.
What if you find something?
Your specialist tells you in the room, in plain English, and explains exactly what it means. You will never be sent home to wait for a letter. Most findings are benign and need nothing more than a sensible review date.
Anything that does need attention gets a clear, objective recommendation in your report: monitor, test further, or refer. Follow-up tests can usually be arranged at 99 Harley Street, often the same week, and those results are also explained to you personally.
Do I need a referral?
No. Harley Street Ultrasound is a private clinic, so you can book a child abdominal ultrasound in London directly online or by phone. No GP letter, no waiting list, and same-day or next-day appointments are usually available. If you are searching for a child abdominal ultrasound near me from anywhere in central London, we are at 99 Harley Street, a short walk from Regent’s Park and Oxford Circus stations.
If you are wondering how much a private child abdominal ultrasound costs, the answer is published before you book: £450, all fees inclusive: the examination, the specialist’s time, your written report and your images. Insured patients should bring a referral or authorisation number if their policy requires one.
How soon will I have the written report?
Usually the same day: a Harley Street child abdominal ultrasound comes with same-day results as standard, and you will already know the findings, because they are explained to you on screen during the appointment.
The written report is prepared by the specialist team and published to your secure patient portal together with your images, with measurements and a clear recommendation, ready to share with your GP or specialist.
What happens after the scan?
Nothing special: there is no aftercare. Your child can feed, eat, play and go back to nursery or school straight away. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, so it can be repeated safely whenever follow-up is needed. If the results suggest a next step, your specialist explains it to you before you leave.
Can I still use the NHS afterwards?
Yes: completely. Coming to us privately never affects your NHS care. Our job is to get you answers quickly; if anything needs urgent attention, your specialist writes to your NHS GP recommending an urgent appointment, so you re-enter the NHS pathway with a diagnosis already in hand rather than joining the queue from the start.
