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Dr Andre Gatt
Ultrasound screening is considered routine during pregnancy, but often the importance of an ultrasound check of the baby after birth is overlooked. Currently the government hospital only offers screening of high-risk infants, or those with problems identified during pregnancy, however some important conditions can invisible during pregnancy scans, and can cause serious health issues in infancy or later in life. Newborn ultrasound uses similar equipment to the pregnancy scans and does not expose your baby to any radiation.
A head ultrasound is a scan through baby’s fontanelle (soft spot in baby’s skull) to examine the structures of the brain. The scan is performed routinely in premature babies in hospital to check the brain.
Once outside of hospital, the commonest reason for a brain ultrasound is when the head size appears to grow unusually fast relative to the rest of the body to exclude a condition called hydrocephalus, where there is abnormal accumulation of fluid in the ventricles of the brain.
The ultrasound is also an invaluable screening tool to exclude congenital abnormalities of the brain which may cause problems later in life.
It is important to note that ultrasound can only be used as long as the fontanelle (soft spot) remains open – once it closes the only alternative is an MRI scan performed under a general anaesthetic.
This ultrasound is required when babies are born with a dimple on the lower end of their spine or tail bone, an asymmetrical natal cleft (groove between the buttocks), unusual swelling, a tuft of hair or birth marks over the lower back, or family history of spina bifida.
In new-born babies, ultrasound can pass through the soft bones and look at the spinal cord. We check that the cord is not abnormally anchored to the lower spine (tethered) and most importantly check that the bones of the spine are normally closed in order to exclude spina bifida occulta.
Spine ultrasound will include an assessment of the kidneys at no additional cost, because the kidneys are an important landmark when assessing the position of the end of the cord.
Congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract are some of the most common birth defects, however the majority are associated with a normal life if monitored and managed appropriately.
The commonest abnormality is the presence of hydronephrosis – an abnormal accumulation of urine in the kidneys. This may be the result of backwashing of urine into the kidneys from the bladder (reflux), or a blockage in the system.
Should your child develop a fever without a clear explanation, the urine should be tested before starting antibiotics, in order to exclude urine infections, as this may be a sign of an underlying kidney problem.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) previously known as Congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) is a problem with the way a baby's hip joint develops. It happens around the time of birth and can affect one hip or both.
Ultrasound works best under the age of 6 months but is ideally performed before 6 weeks of age because the earlier treatment is started, the more likely it is to be successful. Click here to read more about Hip Dysplasia.
