MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is the newest method of studying the human body. It is most harmless among all such studies, since it does not provide for the radiation exposure of the child, in contrast to computed tomography of the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging is now used in almost all areas of medicine.
The very procedure of MRI is safe for the child, and the question "Is it possible to do MRI for children?" Doctors always answer in the affirmative. This study is assigned to children who have a suspicion of a disease that affects the structure of the brain. MRI is very effective for recognizing the symptoms of such diseases in the initial stages. Thus, the study of the brain is recommended for children with frequent fainting, headaches and dizziness, a decrease in hearing and vision, a noticeable lag in development.
How is MRI performed for children?
The MRI of the brain to the child is slightly different from that for an adult. The child must be morally ready for this research, otherwise it will turn out to be uninformative. He must know what awaits him, and how to behave himself. Before the procedure, the child takes off his clothes and all metal objects (a cross, rings, earrings, pendants), lies on a special couch table where his head and hands are fixed, and then "enters the tunnel" of the scanning device. While a technologist is doing a scan, the toddler must lie still. At the same time, he can, if necessary, communicate with parents who are near the wall of the apparatus. To prevent the scanner noise scare the baby, he wears special headphones. The procedure takes about 20 minutes, sometimes a little more.
How to prepare a child for an MRI?
If the child is big enough to adequately react to what is happening, parents should prepare it in advance: tell them how MRI is done for children and assure them that it is not scary or painful. If your child is too active, and you are not sure that he will be able to stay immobile for so long, then inform the doctor about it. Perhaps, he will be offered sedation (taking sedatives, that is, sedatives). If your baby is less than 5 years old, doctors usually recommend that such a child undergo an MRI procedure under anesthesia. In this case, a preliminary
An infant with an MRI is also anesthetized. In this case, the baby, who is on natural feeding, should be fed no later than 2 hours before the procedure.
Conclusion on the results of the study is given to the parents immediately after the completion of the MRI procedure. It should be given to the treating physician for interpretation of the results and subsequent treatment (if necessary).