Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Non-Traumatic Gastrointestinal Disorders in Pediatrics

Background: Non-traumatic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in children are common causes of pediatric hospital visits. Accurate and rapid diagnosis is essential to guide timely intervention. Ultrasound (US) offers a non-invasive, radiation-free, and widely available diagnostic option.
Objectives: To evaluate the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of pediatric non-traumatic gastrointestinal disorders.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 pediatric patients (0–16 years) presenting with acute non-traumatic abdominal pain or other GI symptoms. All underwent gray-scale and color Doppler US using curvilinear (3–5 MHz) and linear (8–12 MHz) probes. Diagnostic accuracy metrics were calculated for key conditions.
Results: The cohort comprised 48 males and 52 females (mean age 6.7 ± 5.05 years). Common presentations included abdominal pain (100%), vomiting (46%), and fever (26%). Frequent US findings were free fluid collection (46%) and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes (28%). Diagnoses included appendicitis (18%), intussusception (12%), hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (12%), small bowel obstruction (4%), mesenteric lymphadenitis (8%), necrotizing enterocolitis (6%), and malrotation with volvulus (4%). US sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were: appendicitis 90%, 100%, 96.8% (κ = 0.94); intussusception 100%, 100%, 100% (κ = 1.00); hypertrophic pyloric stenosis 100%, 100%, 100% (κ = 1.00); malrotation 100%, 100%, 100% (κ = 1.00). Overall diagnostic performance was 96% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 93% accuracy (κ = 0.834). Findings were correlated with surgical, laboratory, therapeutic, or further imaging results.
Conclusions: Ultrasonography is a highly accurate, non-invasive diagnostic tool for pediatric non-traumatic gastrointestinal disorders, providing rapid and reliable evaluation that supports timely clinical decision-making.