Pediatric cardiac sonography (pediatric echocardiography) applies comprehensive echocardiographic assessment to infants, children, and adolescents with known or suspected congenital or acquired heart disease. Pediatric cardiac anatomy differs substantially from adults — with numerous structural defects requiring recognition and precise measurement — making this one of the most specialized areas of cardiac sonography.
Pediatric echocardiographers image structural lesions including ventricular septal defects (VSD), atrial septal defects (ASD), tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, atrioventricular septal defects, coarctation of the aorta, and patent ductus arteriosus. Hemodynamic assessment via Doppler quantifies shunt size, valve gradients, and pulmonary artery pressures. Advanced techniques including strain analysis, tissue Doppler, and 3D echo are used in complex CHD surveillance.
The RDCS credential with Pediatric Echocardiography (PE) specialty from ARDMS and the Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS) from CCI are the standard credentials. Employment is in pediatric heart centers, children’s hospitals, and adult congenital heart disease programs. Pediatric cardiac sonographers work in close partnership with pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and cardiac anesthesiologists.