How should children prepare for an MRI?

News from the Medical Industry (www.cnzhilian.com): In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging has played an important role in disease examination and diagnosis, but when children need to undergo this examination, many parents are often hesitant, fearing that it may be harmful to their children.

Can babies undergo MRI examinations? Is it safe for them? How is the examination conducted? What should be paid attention to before and after the examination? Today we invited an expert from the Radiology Department of a tertiary hospital to answer these questions.

What is MRI? Is there any radiation? How is the examination performed?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging device that uses only magnetic fields, wireless radio frequency pulses and computers to form medical images without using ionizing radiation. MRI has clear contrast of human soft tissue components and is particularly suitable for the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of diseases in children's brain, chest, abdomen, pelvis and limbs.

The MRI machine is a large cylinder. The child lies on a movable examination bed and moves into the large cylinder (center of the magnetic field). The doctor monitors the child's condition through the glass window and keeps the conversation going.

Generally, it takes about 10-20 minutes to perform a plain scan of an examination site. If the lesion is complex or contrast-enhanced examination is used, it will take longer.

During the scanning process, you may hear mechanical or impact sounds. If necessary, the doctor will give your child earplugs to protect his or her hearing.

During the scan, due to the radio frequency effect, some children may feel a slight fever in their body, which is normal and there is no need to worry. If there are other abnormalities, the accompanying parents can communicate with the doctor through the intercom.

How to prepare before the examination?

For children who can cooperate, only routine preparation is required, and parents can communicate in advance, give positive hints, and cooperate with the inspection.

1. Both the child and the accompanying parent must remove all metal attachments, such as magnetic cards, watches, keys, coins, hairpins, glasses, jewelry, mobile phones and similar electronic devices, metal drug-conducting sheets, cosmetics containing metal particles, and clothes with metal ornaments.

2. Children with cochlear implants, neurostimulators, pacemakers, metal heart valves, metal stents, filters, staplers, arterial clamps and other magnetic metal implants cannot undergo MRI examinations to avoid accidents; MRI-compatible implantable devices, implanted infusion ports made of non-ferromagnetic materials, can undergo MRI examinations (please consult a doctor for details). Wheelchairs, carts, beds, stretchers, oxygen cylinders, etc. are strictly prohibited from entering the machine room.

3. Whether fasting is necessary for MRI examination depends on the examination site: no fasting is required for examinations of the head, chest, spine and limbs; fast for 4 hours before abdominal examination; fast for 4 hours before pelvic examination, and keep urine for 2 hours before the examination.

4. During enhanced examination, contrast agent is injected intravenously. The contrast agent is usually "gadopentic acid dimeglumine". Before injection, the doctor should be informed whether the child has heart disease, kidney disease, liver transplant history, diabetes or thyroid disease, etc., and whether the child has allergic constitution.

Additional preparation for uncooperative children:

Sedation: Sedatives can be prescribed by the doctor who issued the MRI examination order. Commonly used drugs include chloral hydrate and phenobarbital sodium. 30 minutes before the examination, a small amount of water, infant formula milk powder, or juice can be taken with the patient (please arrange the sedation time in advance to avoid missing the examination on time).

Sleep deprivation: It is recommended to conduct appropriate sleep deprivation according to the age before the examination. Do not sleep 4-6 hours before the examination to prevent the sedative from being ineffective after the child has enough sleep.

What should I pay attention to after the inspection?

1. Children who undergo plain MRI examinations and do not use sedatives do not need special recovery treatment and can resume their daily activities and normal diet after the examination.

2. Children who undergo enhanced MRI examinations or use sedatives should stay in the hospital for 30 minutes after the examination. If they are awake and have no physical discomfort, they can leave and drink plenty of water to promote the excretion of contrast agent.

3. Occasionally, children may experience side effects such as local pain or nausea when using MRI contrast agents; they may be allergic to contrast agents, which may manifest as itchy eyes, systemic or local skin urticaria or other reactions. If any of the above reactions occur, the radiology staff should be informed immediately and anti-allergic drugs should be used.

Kind tips

1. Prepare a small blanket according to the temperature. After the child falls asleep, take off some clothes as required and send the child to the examination room to prevent cold.

1. Remember to bring a comfort doll (no metal toys).
2. A parent accompanies the child into the examination room, sits next to the child wearing earmuffs, and pays close attention to the child's every move.

4. If the child wakes up in the middle of the night, parents can comfort him.

5. You can reward your child by preparing a small medal or a toy that the child likes, and praise the child after the inspection. This will dilute the unpleasantness during the inspection and turn it into a good memory.

About sedatives

1. Why do we need sedatives?

A complete MRI examination takes at least 10-20 minutes and at most about 1 hour.

The entire MRI process requires the child to lie still in the instrument, which is a bit difficult for them to achieve as the machine is too noisy and they have to use sedatives to put the child into a deep sleep.

For older children who are able to control themselves, sedation is not necessary.

2. Are sedatives safe?

Sedatives are not anesthetics. Sedatives are drugs that make children sleepy and fall asleep during hospital examinations or treatments, so that they can cooperate with the examination.

The dosage of the sedative is determined based on the child's weight. The doctor will closely monitor the child during the use of the sedative. After the examination, the child wakes up and the doctor confirms that there is no problem before allowing the child to leave, so there is no safety hazard.

3.What should I pay attention to?

Occasional follow-up effects of sedatives: After waking up, the child will continue to be sleepy, such as being upset. Parents must strengthen supervision, try to let the child get enough rest, and follow up if there is any discomfort.