Ultrasound is contraindicated over which area in young children?

• A. Epiphyseal areas
• B. Chest
• C. Brain
• D. Abdomen

Answer: (A)

Pediatric safety is the key idea here: in young children the growth plates (epiphyseal areas) are still open and delicate. Therapeutic ultrasound delivers acoustic energy that can cause local heating; when applied over cartilage-rich growth plates, this heating could potentially affect normal bone growth and development. For that reason, regions with developing epiphyses are avoided to protect the growth process.

The other areas listed aren’t the typical sites of concern for this specific issue. The chest, abdomen, and even the brain (in infants, via appropriate windows) are not inherently contraindicated for ultrasound use in the same way epiphyseal plates are, and ultrasound is commonly used for evaluation and treatment in pediatric populations when applied with appropriate dosages.