Transfontanellar brain ultrasound of the newborn and infant
Cranial ultrasound (infant) in Casablanca
A cranial ultrasound examines the infant's brain using ultrasound, through the fontanelle, the soft area at the top of the skull. Painless, with no X-rays or sedation, it can be done as long as the fontanelle is still open enough. In particular, it measures the ventricles, cavities filled with the fluid that surrounds the brain, and looks for bleeding in premature babies. Simple and safe, it is often the first brain exam requested for a very young child.
Duration, report and equipment
Duration
The exam usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.
Report turnaround
Report within 24 hours. In an emergency, during opening hours, the report is handed over immediately.
Equipment
GE & Hitachi
Contact the center
This exam is booked by phone or WhatsApp.
When is this exam needed?
- Prematurity, to look for bleeding or a brain lesion.
- Head circumference increasing too quickly or a bulging fontanelle.
- Seizures, or an abnormality seen during pregnancy or already known.
- Difficult birth, with a possible lack of oxygen.
- Follow-up of dilated brain ventricles.
How the exam is done
Your baby lies on their back, on the table or in your arms depending on their age, with their head gently held. A gel is placed on the fontanelle and the probe is placed on it without pressing, then tilted in several directions.
The doctor angles the probe from front to back, then from side to side, to obtain cross-sectional views of the brain. You can talk to your baby, stroke them or give them their pacifier throughout the exam. At the end, the gel is wiped off their head and you leave together, with no special monitoring.
Preparation
- Plan a bottle, a pacifier or a breastfeed to soothe your baby.
- Avoid hats, headbands or hair clips on the day of the exam.
- Bring a spare diaper and a small blanket to keep your baby warm.
Fasting
No fasting: a baby who has eaten is often calmer.
Contrast injection
Nothing is injected, and no sedative is given.
Contraindications and precautions
- No contraindication: the exam can be repeated to monitor progress.
- Closed or too small fontanelle: the exam is no longer possible.
- Prematurity, recent hospital stay or current infection: please tell us, as this information guides the exam.
Documents to bring
- Prescription from the pediatrician
- The child's health booklet
- Birth report or neonatal unit hospital report
- Pregnancy ultrasounds and the baby's previous exams
Price and insurance coverage
The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. You submit the coverage request to your insurer or fund yourself. For AtlantaSanad and Sanlam, the center takes care of it.
No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Is it painful for my baby?
No. The probe is placed without pressure on the fontanelle, which is protected by a strong membrane. Your baby may cry, but mostly because of being positioned.
Up to what age can it be done?
As long as the anterior fontanelle is wide enough, usually in the first months of life. After that, a brain MRI may be offered if needed.
Can I stay close to my baby?
Yes, your presence reassures your baby: you can talk to them, hold them or feed them, as the doctor advises.
Should I wake my baby if they are asleep?
No, a sleeping baby is ideal. If your baby falls asleep while waiting, keep them calm: the exam can start without waking them.
What is the fontanelle?
It is the soft space between the bones of the baby's skull, covered by a strong membrane. It lets ultrasound waves through and gradually closes as the baby grows.
Does the ultrasound show the whole brain?
It clearly shows the center of the brain, the ventricles and bleeding around them. Areas close to the bone, at the edges, are less well seen: an MRI can then complete the assessment.