MRI Without Sedation: How to Know if Your Child Is Ready

When your child is scheduled for an MRI, you may question why the scan was scheduled with anesthesia or if anesthesia is truly necessary. The following factors can determine what method will help your child complete their MRI successfully. 

• Age: Typically, children 7 years and under will need sedation to assist them in being still enough to capture the images your doctor is requesting. As children become older they will also be able to better understand the instructions provided by the MRI team during a non-sedated scan.

• Time: An MRI can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours. Anesthesia might be best if your child has a medical condition, a behavior concern, or any discomfort which would prevent them from staying still for the length of their specific MRI.

• Sounds: The MRI machine makes loud noises which may mimic whooshing, banging, and beeping sounds. Your child will receive earplugs and/or headphones to protect their hearing but will still hear these noises. Consider if hearing these sounds or wearing the items on or in their ears would be challenging for your child.

• Anesthesia process: If your child has had anesthesia in the past reflect on how they coped with the process. Children who had difficulties in the past might feel more motivated to try their best to be still so they can complete their scan without anesthesia.

• Not eating or drinking: Typically your child will be able to eat or drink prior to a non-sedated MRI. The parents of children receiving anesthesia will receive information ahead of their visit to confirm when their child must stop eating and drinking to be sure they are safe to complete the anesthesia process. If your child would struggle with having food restricted prior to their MRI, they might be more interested in completing a non-sedated scan.

• Contrast: If your child’s MRI is scheduled with contrast, your child will receive an IV or butterfly needle to provide them with the contrast. Does your child cope well with a poke or would this affect their ability to be still in order to complete their scan?

The healthcare team wants your family to have a positive experience during your visit while making sure the requested images are gathered. Ask questions and review with your team how to best schedule your child for their MRI.