Can children have an MRI scan?

Can children have an MRI scan? 

A lot of our patients ask us 'Can children have an MRI scan?'. The answer is yes! At Vista Health, we accept referrals for under 18 year olds for MRI scans. Our Radiographers are highly skilled, with excellent knowledge and experience, ensuring your child receives the best level of care possible. We are unable to scan babies or infants, as they usually need sedation to stay completely still when having an MRI scan.  
 

What is an MRI scan? 

An MRI scan is a safe procedure that can generate a much more detailed scan of the body than a CT, ultrasound, or x-ray machine. It uses radio waves and strong magnetic fields that are strong, but not so much that they can affect a young child’s growth and development. The NHS stresses that despite some people’s hesitations and fear about going into an MRI tube, there’s no evidence proving that MRI scans pose a risk to human health (except for pregnant women, who must avoid strong magnetic fields). MRI remains to be one of the safest medical procedures today. 

Still, getting an MRI scan can be nerve-wracking for children. The procedure is very different from what they’re used to, sitting at an exam table, talking to the family doctor, munching on sweets, and having mum or dad beside them the entire time.

It’s, therefore, necessary to prepare your children if they must undergo an MRI scan. It’s not just a matter of safety; it’s also for their peace of mind.
 

Why may my child need an MRI scan?

A GP or Physiotherapist may have referred your child for an MRI scan to provide an in-depth diagnosis to help with the best possible route for their ongoing care and treatment. If your child is under 18, we would need a referral from a doctor sending to our patient care team, our email address is booking@vista-health.co.uk.
 

Orient your child on the Procedure and What to Expect

Most kids get nervous in unfamiliar situations, so they have to know what to expect during an MRI scan.

• On arrival, your child will be checked in by a member of our team at reception.
• You will need to fill in a safety questionnaire on behalf of your child to ensure it is safe for your child to have the scan. 
• Your child may need to change into a gown, therefore they may be taken to a private changing room. 
• Our Radiographer will explain to your child what happens during the scan and what is involved in the procedure.
• They will lie on a narrow bed that will move and bring them inside a tunnel of a machine.

• Your child will go head first into the scanner if the area being scanned is the upper part of the body or will go in feet first if the part of the body being scanned is the lower part of the body.

• The MRI radiographer will place a “coil” or special antenna on the part of the body that will be scanned by the machine.
• They will hear loud noises once the scanning starts. That’s the signal that they must stay as still as possible so that the scans will come out clear and then they won’t have to repeat the process.

• To cover their ears, your child will be provided with ear protectors and may also be provided with headphones to listen to music. 

• You can’t hold their hand or be right beside them, but you’ll see them the entire time.

• There will be an intercom for your child to speak to the Radiographer through and to make sure they are ok.

• They will be given a tiny device with a button to hold during the scan. If they ever feel scared or uncomfortable, they can press the button and let the MRI radiographer know.

• The scan can take between 15 and 60 minutes (We can advise the length of appointment at the point of booking).

Children need to know that an MRI scan won’t hurt them. We recommend simple concepts to explain how it works, i.e., that the machine is like a giant camera that will take pictures of the inside of their body. You can also show sample MRI scans so that they’ll know what those “pictures” will look like.
 

How to prepare for the MRI scan

The important thing is to help your child be as comfortable and relaxed as possible during the scan. Here are a few things you can do:

• Prepare loose, comfortable clothes for your child to wear (do not choose clothes with any form of metal components like zippers, buttons or brand tags).
• Restrict food and drink only if the doctor says so.
• Ask if your child has any questions about the procedure.
• Talk to your child and help them stay calm.
• Make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes early so that you don’t rush through the pre-scan preparation.

It’s not just your child who needs to prepare, you do too. You don’t want your child to see you panicking or anxious; otherwise, they might feel the same going into the procedure.

You can count on our experienced staff at Vista Health to help you and your child get ready on the day of the scan. If you want to know more about MRI scanning or how to prepare kids for this diagnostic procedure, you can contact us or call us on 0371 454 3192.
 

What happens after the scan

• You will receive the scan images electronically through your Patient Image Portal.
• You will also be sent a link for online imaging to view your child's scan images on our secure, Patient Image Portal.
• The written report takes 3 working days and will be sent back to your referring clinician.
   

Which clinics can my child attend?

We generally accept referrals for children age 5 years and above. Please find all our age restrictions on the below table.

Age restrictions

Get the diagnosis you need at an affordable price

We offer same day and next day appointments with over 40 convenient and accessible locations across the UK. To find out more call us on 0371 454 3192 or make an online enquiry. Alternatively, send your referral to us at booking@vista-health.co.uk.