Pediatric sonography adapts ultrasound techniques to infants, children, and adolescents, taking advantage of the modality’s lack of ionizing radiation. Children’s anatomy, cooperation levels, and pathology patterns differ significantly from adults, requiring specialized training and patient interaction skills.
Pediatric sonographers examine the neonatal head for intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus, the infant hip for developmental dysplasia, abdominal organs for pyloric stenosis and intussusception, and the appendix for appendicitis. They also image the pediatric urinary tract, musculoskeletal system, and superficial structures. Scanning through fontanelles and small acoustic windows requires technique adjustments.
There is no separate ARDMS pediatric credential; sonographers typically earn the RDMS with Abdomen or OB/GYN specialization and develop pediatric expertise through clinical experience at children’s hospitals and pediatric imaging centers. ARDMS does offer a Pediatric Sonography (PS) examination for those specializing in this area.