Is it safe for newborns to undergo cardiac color Doppler ultrasound?

Generally speaking, whether a color Doppler echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) has any impact on a newborn needs to be determined according to specific circumstances. If the newborn is in relatively good health, usually there is no adverse effect. However, for extremely low birth weight infants or those with other medical conditions, cardiac ultrasound is generally not recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Cardiac ultrasound is a non-invasive and radiation-free diagnostic method that uses ultrasound technology to examine the heart's structure and function. It plays an important role in diagnosing congenital heart disease in newborns, accurately detecting structural abnormalities such as ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and patent ductus arteriosus. Since this method does not involve radiation exposure, it generally does not cause any harmful effects if the newborn is in relatively good health.

However, for preterm infants, those with extremely low weight, or those suffering from other conditions such as respiratory failure or unstable vital signs, cardiac ultrasound is not recommended. This is because during the examination, the newborn must remain still to avoid crying or moving, which could affect the accuracy of the results. Parents can comfort the infant appropriately before the examination to ensure emotional stability. Wearing loose and easily removable clothing also facilitates the examination. Additionally, during transportation to the ultrasound room and the examination itself, the infant may experience hypothermia, hypoxemia, or other issues, which could negatively affect existing medical conditions.

Cardiac ultrasound is a safe and effective diagnostic method. Parents can feel assured allowing their newborn to undergo this examination and should actively cooperate with medical staff to ensure smooth implementation and accurate results.