What imaging study is commonly used to assess congenital heart defects in children?

Echocardiography is the most commonly used imaging study to assess congenital heart defects in children due to its non-invasive nature, real-time imaging capabilities, and ability to provide detailed information about the heart's structure and function. This technique utilizes sound waves to create moving pictures of the heart, allowing healthcare providers to visualize the anatomy, flow patterns, and any abnormalities present in the heart chambers and valves.

Echocardiography is particularly advantageous in pediatric patients because it does not involve radiation exposure, making it safer for use in children. The ability to use Doppler ultrasound during the procedure also helps assess blood flow and pressure in various parts of the heart, providing crucial information for diagnosing and managing congenital heart defects.

While other imaging modalities like MRI and CT scans can provide detailed images and are useful in certain situations, their complexity, longer duration, or radiation exposure make them less favorable for routine assessment of congenital heart defects in children compared to echocardiography. X-rays may show general heart size or position but lack the detail required for in-depth analysis of structural defects.