Pediatric Neurosonography: Comprehensive Review and Systematic Approach

Abstract

Neurosonography (NSG) is pivotal for rapid, point-of-care neonatal brain assessment. This review elucidates the comprehensive applications of NSG in pediatric care, emphasizing its role in early diagnosis and management of pathologies affecting the pediatric head—such as scalp lesions, misshapen calvarium, ventricular distortions, and cerebrovascular abnormalities, and its specific role in conditions like hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) across different neonatal gestational ages. We explore its diagnostic advantage in critical care settings, particularly for infants with stroke risk in sickle cell disease, ECMO-related complications, screening for therapeutic hypothermia, and routine neonatal intensive care unit monitoring. This review discusses the recommendations based on the timing of brain injury (preterm and term) and describes technical considerations that enhance diagnostic accuracy. Ultimately, this article advocates for its incorporation into routine neonatal screening to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes, underscoring its importance in clinical decision-making and long-term management of pediatric brain disorders.