The purpose of this study was to determine the value of routine abdominal ultrasound in healthy school age children. A total of 413 children (194 girls, 219 boys) between the ages of 7 and 12, without any disease history and any symptom were included into the study. We have found abdominal pathologies in 56 (13.5%) of these children. Among these pathologies there was diffuse increase in liver echogenicity in 41 children, bilateral increase of renal paranchymal echogenicity in 5 children, pelvicalyceal ectasia (3 unilateral, 2 bilateral) in 5 children, hydronephrosis (unilateral) in 3 children, urolithiasis in one child and right renal agenesis in one child. We suggest the routine use of ultrasonography routinely as a first screening method for the detection of abdominal pathologies in asymptomatic children. [Journal of Turgut Ozal Medical Center 1997:4(2)171-174]
Key Words: Ultrasound, abdominal findings, healthy children, screening
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