[Ultrasonography in the pre- and perinatal periods. The indications and risks].

The echographic diagnosis is now wide-spread used in Pediatrics, including the prenatal period. Its use has some well-known advantages, as lack of invasiveness, reproducibility, informative value and the low cost. The author reviewed the up-to-date indications of the echographic methods in Pediatrics. The attention is focused on the biologic side-effects of the ultrasounds in children, including the prenatal period. Based on actual dates from the pediatric literature, it seems that echography in Pediatrics has minor if any long-term side effects.