Echocardiography for Children
Echocardiography for Children
Private Echocardiography for Children
Specialist Paediatric Echocardiography in London
At London Paediatric Clinic, we provide specialist paediatric echocardiography (heart ultrasound) for babies, children, and teenagers to assess the structure and function of the heart. Performed by our experienced consultant paediatric cardiologists, echocardiography is a safe, painless, and highly accurate investigation that plays a vital role in diagnosing, monitoring, and managing a wide range of childhood heart conditions. Our aim is to provide rapid access to advanced cardiac imaging, expert diagnosis, and personalised care, giving families clear answers and peace of mind.
An echocardiogram uses advanced ultrasound technology to produce detailed, real-time images of the heart, allowing our specialists to examine the heart chambers, valves, blood vessels, blood flow, and pumping function. It is commonly recommended for children with heart murmurs, chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, fainting, suspected congenital heart disease, abnormal ECG findings, or a family history of inherited heart conditions. Echocardiography is also an important tool for monitoring children with previously diagnosed cardiac conditions and assessing their progress over time.
Our consultant-led approach combines comprehensive clinical assessment with advanced cardiac imaging to ensure every child receives the most appropriate investigation and treatment. Where appropriate, we can also arrange prompt access to electrocardiograms (ECG), heart rhythm monitoring, exercise testing, and other specialist cardiac investigations, providing a complete diagnostic pathway under one roof. Conveniently located in Central London, London Paediatric Clinic offers rapid access to expert paediatric echocardiography, helping families receive timely diagnosis, reassurance, and the highest standard of specialist cardiac care.
Dr Badr Chaban
MD MRCPCH MSc
Why Choose Us for Paediatric Echocardiography?
Experienced Consultant Paediatric Cardiologists
Our experienced consultant paediatric cardiologists perform and interpret echocardiograms for babies, children, and teenagers with a wide range of heart conditions.
Comprehensive Cardiac Assessments
We combine advanced cardiac imaging with detailed clinical assessment to provide an accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment plan for every child.
Same-Day Appointments Available
Where available, we offer same-day appointments, providing prompt access to specialist cardiac assessment, echocardiography, and expert reassurance.
Rapid Access to Advanced Cardiac Investigations
Where appropriate, we can arrange prompt access to echocardiography, ECGs, heart rhythm monitoring, exercise testing, and other specialist cardiac investigations.
Ongoing Cardiology Care & Follow-Up
Where ongoing monitoring is required, we provide coordinated long-term follow-up, supporting your child's heart health, growth, and development.
Home Visits & Central London Clinic
We offer home visits alongside our conveniently located Central London clinic, providing families with flexible access to expert paediatric cardiac care.
Testimonials
Comprehensive Echocardiography Assessments
Every child is different, and an echocardiogram provides valuable information about the structure and function of the heart. During your appointment, our experienced paediatricians and consultant paediatric cardiologists take time to understand your child’s symptoms, medical history, pregnancy and birth history where relevant, family history of heart disease, growth, exercise tolerance, and overall cardiovascular health. We also review any previous cardiac investigations and clinical findings to build a complete picture of your child’s heart health. This comprehensive assessment ensures the echocardiogram is interpreted accurately and enables us to provide the most appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management.
We perform echocardiography for babies, children, and teenagers with heart murmurs, suspected congenital heart disease, chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, fainting, abnormal ECG findings, family histories of inherited heart conditions, or concerns identified during routine examinations. Where appropriate, we can also arrange prompt access to electrocardiograms (ECG), heart rhythm monitoring, exercise testing, and additional specialist cardiac investigations, providing a comprehensive diagnostic service and ensuring children receive timely diagnosis, coordinated care, and expert paediatric cardiology support.
Fees and Pricing
Clear, transparent pricing is an important part of planning your care. The following guide outlines consultation fees and typical costs for prostate cancer surgery.
Initial Consultation
£300
Clear, transparent pricing is an important part of planning your care. The following guide outlines consultation fees and typical costs for paediatric consultation.
Follow-Up Consultation
£300
Follow-up appointments are available before or after treatment to review progress, discuss results, and provide ongoing guidance.
Private Medical Insurance
At London Paediatric Clinic, we aim to make accessing specialist paediatric care as straightforward as possible. We accept most major private medical insurers and can provide guidance regarding authorisation requirements, coverage, and the options available to you, helping make the process clear and stress-free so you can focus on your child's health and wellbeing.
What Is an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram, often referred to as a heart ultrasound or cardiac ultrasound, is a safe, painless, and non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to produce detailed, real-time images of the heart. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, echocardiography does not use radiation, making it an extremely safe investigation for babies, children, and teenagers. The scan provides valuable information about the structure and function of the heart and is one of the most commonly used investigations in paediatric cardiology.
During the scan, our consultant paediatric cardiologists assess the size and structure of the heart, examine the heart chambers and valves, evaluate blood flow, and measure how effectively the heart is pumping. Echocardiography plays a vital role in diagnosing congenital heart disease, investigating heart murmurs, assessing abnormal ECG findings, and monitoring a wide range of childhood heart conditions, helping ensure children receive an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment.
When Might My Child Need an Echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram may be recommended if your child has a heart murmur, chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, fainting episodes, poor feeding, poor weight gain, abnormal ECG findings, suspected congenital heart disease, or a family history of inherited heart conditions. It may also be used to investigate symptoms identified during routine examinations or to monitor children with previously diagnosed cardiac conditions, helping assess how the heart is functioning over time.
Many children undergo echocardiography simply to confirm that their heart is healthy and functioning normally. Even when no significant abnormality is identified, the scan provides valuable reassurance for families and clinicians alike. By establishing an accurate diagnosis or excluding serious heart disease, echocardiography helps guide the most appropriate treatment, follow-up, and long-term care where required.
What Happens During the Scan?
An echocardiogram is a safe, painless, and non-invasive investigation that usually takes between 20 and 45 minutes to complete. During the examination, your child will lie comfortably on an examination couch while a small handheld ultrasound probe is gently moved over the chest using a warm gel to obtain detailed, real-time images of the heart. The procedure is entirely painless and does not require any injections, sedation, or special preparation in most cases.
Most babies and children tolerate the scan extremely well, and parents are usually able to stay with their child throughout the examination to provide reassurance. As echocardiography does not involve radiation, it is suitable for children of all ages and can be repeated safely whenever ongoing monitoring of your child’s heart is required. After the scan, our consultant paediatric cardiologist will explain the findings and discuss any further investigations or treatment if necessary.
Understanding Your Child's Results
Following the examination, our consultant paediatric cardiologists carefully review the echocardiogram findings alongside your child’s symptoms, medical history, and clinical assessment. Many echocardiograms are completely normal or confirm an innocent heart murmur that requires no treatment. If an underlying heart condition is identified, we explain the diagnosis in clear, straightforward language, discuss what it means for your child’s health, and answer any questions you may have.
Where appropriate, we can arrange prompt access to additional cardiac investigations, ongoing cardiology follow-up, or referral for specialist treatment. Our aim is to ensure every family leaves with a clear understanding of their child’s heart health, confidence in the diagnosis, and a personalised management plan tailored to their child’s individual needs.
Need a Heart Scan for Your Child?
If your child has been advised to have an echocardiogram or you have concerns about their heart health, an early assessment can provide the answers and reassurance you need. Our experienced consultant paediatric cardiologists offer expert paediatric echocardiography, prompt access to advanced cardiac investigations, and personalised care to ensure your child receives the highest standard of specialist cardiac assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might my child need an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram may be recommended to investigate a heart murmur, chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, fainting, abnormal ECG findings, suspected congenital heart disease, or to monitor a known heart condition. It provides detailed information about how your child’s heart is structured and functioning.
Is an echocardiogram safe for children?
Yes. Echocardiography uses ultrasound rather than radiation, making it an extremely safe investigation for babies, children, and teenagers. It can also be repeated safely whenever ongoing monitoring is required.
Does the scan hurt or require any preparation?
No. An echocardiogram is completely painless, non-invasive, and usually requires no special preparation. Most children tolerate the examination very well, and parents are usually able to stay with their child throughout the scan.
How long does the scan take?
Most echocardiograms take between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on your child’s age, the reason for the examination, and the level of detail required.
When will I receive the results?
In many cases, our consultant paediatric cardiologist can explain the findings during your appointment. If additional review or investigations are required, we will discuss the results with you in detail and explain any recommended next steps.
Will my child need any other tests?
If the echocardiogram identifies a condition that requires further assessment, we can arrange prompt access to electrocardiograms (ECG), heart rhythm monitoring, exercise testing, and other specialist cardiac investigations, ensuring your child receives comprehensive cardiac care.
Do I need a referral?
No. You do not usually need a GP or hospital referral to arrange a private paediatric echocardiogram at London Paediatric Clinic.
How quickly can my child be seen?
We understand how worrying heart concerns can be for families. London Paediatric Clinic offers prompt appointments and, where available, same-day consultations, providing rapid access to consultant paediatric cardiologists, echocardiography, and advanced cardiac investigations without unnecessary delays.
Need to Speak to a Paediatrician Today?
Whether you have concerns about your child’s health, development, behaviour, sleep, nutrition, or wellbeing, our experienced paediatric team is here to help. Same-day appointments are available where possible, helping families access expert care when they need it most.
Our Location
Address: 90 Sloane Street, Chelsea SW1X 9PQ
Conveniently located at 90 Sloane Street in the heart of Central London, London Paediatric Clinic offers easy access to expert private paediatric care for babies, children, and teenagers.