Echocardiograph on Toddler for Heart Murmur?

We have gone through the same with my daughter. She had two small holes in her heart, one of which has closed. I think the one we did when she was older, they let her sit on my lap and we had a video for her to watch. At first she kept trying to push the technicians hand away but then just relaxed and watched the video. It didn't seem to take as long as the first time either. Good luck.

J.,
My daughter had the same procedure done so I totally understand your apprehensions. I brought small books so I could read for her, a brand new sticker book, and play doh. Those distractions worked fairly well along with the DVD player the doctor (thankfully) had at his office. I also found that if I'm more calm, my daughter will be more calm...so try to relax :)
G.

My son has had four open-heart surgeries and so many echos I've lost count. Have you considered sedating your son? The most commonly used sedatives are chloral hydrate, which is given by mouth, and midazolam (Versed), which is placed in your son's nose. Intravenous medications are rarely needed. Your son will usually fall asleep within 30 minutes and sleep for about an hour. Even though sedated echocardiograms are very safe, close monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen is performed while your son is asleep. When your son wakes up, he may have poor balance (may last for more than an hour) and should be watched closely. Your doctor and nurse will continue careful observation until your son is fully awake and tolerating juice or milk.

Good luck to both you!

My daughter had one done when she was about a year old. They gave her medicine to put her to sleep. It wasn't a deep sleep to where she needed a breathing tube or anything, just a real short deep sleep.
The procedure lasted about 1/2 an hour, then she woke up. she was still groggy for quite a while, but no bad effects from it.

I, too, Have been down this road. My daughter was born with an extremely complex Congenital Heart Defect so we are all too familiar with getting echos. She has had 2 open heart surgeries, 3 caths and I believe her echo count is up to well over a dozen...and she is only 2!!!

My best advice...go to Target and get a Munchkin-brand sippy cup. (Get one that has a soft spout) Limit the food/ milk intake leading up to the echo...and then give him his milk during the procedure. If he isn't a big milk fan...give him juice. Yes, it's not the "best" thing to give...but if it keeps him still and quiet then it is completely worth it!!!

If you have a personal DVD player or an Mp3 player/ iPod that shows video it will be a great help!! Find a video that will keep his interest...baby einstein, elmo, barney...these worked well for us.

I am not sure what time your apointment is...but when our daughter was one her echos were usually mid-morning. We would wake her up extra early in the hopes that she might nap for the echo. The quietness of the echo room, the dim lights, and the white noise- type sound from the echo machine really relaxes her and she hets pretty sleepy everytime!!

The echo tech should be able to do the procedure with a *bit* of movement. I am hoping that the echo tech you are seeing works directly with a Pediatric Cardiologist...in which case they will be used to dealing with kids.

I will warn you...our echo tech (who is the best around...trained with the best at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee...) said that the one year echos are hard...they will get the pictures that they get and there may be a need for follow up!

If it makes you feel any better...easier echos are in sight. My little girl is 2 and very energetic and she will lie completely still for her echos now. It's a combo of bribery (suckers), distraction (seasame street) and a fascination with Jeff, the echo tech.

Best of luck!!! I hope that everything goes well.

I have gone through these several times with one of my kids. When she was little around yours age they played a favrite movie or tv show for the child to watch. We were also in the room with her and could help keep her interested in the movie. I have never been to one where they tried to restrain the child and we have had several. If they like books maybe take their favorite. They just like something for them to be distracted with while laying still. I think they know when a child hits a certain age that they have to be a little more relaxed and work with you and the child. Good luck with everything.

My daughter had to see a heart specialist at Childrens at 4years old to determine if her heart murmor was a innocent one or not and the procedure of putting little sticky things on her body and staying still was so fast we had no problem keeping her still. It was a very very fast test and we were in and out of the office in less than 30min. probaly. I can't see why you couldn't just hold your baby down for a few minutes.

My son had this done at 9 mos. They gave him a very light sedative. We, of course, couldn't let him eat or drink, but they also told us to bring him in tired/drowsy so they could give him as little medication as possible to put him to sleep. He didn't need an IV or tube or anything. He was just "taking a nap." Once the procedure was over he continued sleeping for maybe 20 minutes. When he woke up he nursed, they observed him for a few minutes (maybe 10-15 in all,) and sent us home. All in all a very easy experience (except for the concern over my baby needing his heart checked in the first place, but all was fine.)