Patient Instructions - Neonatal Head Ultrasound

A neonatal head ultrasound is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to show what is inside your infant’s head. No radiation or X-rays are necessary. The ultrasound is used to evaluate your infant’s brain to detect any abnormalities.

Before the Ultrasound

• You may feed your child normally. No special preparation is required.

During the Ultrasound 

• A registered sonographer will move a hand-held device called a transducer over your infant’s head after it has been coated with gel. The gel is used to help the sound waves travel more easily and thus, produce a clearer image.

• Pictures of your child’s head will appear on a video screen and several images and measurements will be recorded.

• A neonatal head ultrasound takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

After the Ultrasound

• A radiologist who specializes in reading ultrasound will study the images from your examination and send a report to your physician.

• Your physician will contact you with your results within 3-4 days.

Providing safe, quality patient care is our highest priority. To help ensure quality and safety, we ask that you do not bring young children with you to your appointments, as children are not allowed to accompany you during Imaging procedures. Staff is unable to monitor your child in your absence.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your provider.