Other than sedation anyone have any tricks for keeping an 8 year old still ? Thanks
2006-09-11 14:36:26 · 7 answers · asked by DNA 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
I work in MRI research and been involved in a number of pediatric studies where because the study was pure research you weren't allowed to sedate the child. Thus I can say it is possible but it is tough. Kids were generally better if the parent went in and stayed with the child during the scan. However more often than not we had to wait a long time to convince / tire out the child. We could wait around because we were using a scanner purely designed for research work and there was no clinical pressure.
However if it is a clinical scan, the schedule will be tight. It may be in the best interests of the child to be sedated if the scan is important, rather than have no scan at all.
2006-09-11 23:11:52 · answer #1 · answered by Dr GH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a MRI technologist and I work with an open MRI unit. We have had many successful exams of children even younger than yours. Try to have the exam done on an open unit. You can sit right next to your child and, for some exams, the child can even see you. Talk to you child regularly before the exam, so that the child is well prepared and knows what to expect. If possible, visit the MRI facility before the exam, so the child can see that big piece of machinery! Promise a special treat (a small toy or an ice cream sundae) if the child gets through the exam. Bring a special toy/blanket/stuffed animal. Bring a tape/CD (you should call the imaging facility to see which one can be played during the exam) of your child's favorite music or bring a book that you can read to your child during the exam. (Closed MRI units are very loud, so reading might be hard to hear, but our open unit is very quiet). In my experience, many of the sedating medications have the opposite effect on kids, and they are actually more hyper after this medication. Good luck to you!
2006-09-13 16:25:20 · answer #2 · answered by Lissacal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope... sedate them. I have never seen an adequate MRI in a child that has not been sedated.
2006-09-11 21:38:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they take awhile and its really best to sedate , they have meds now that only last a very short time , so its really not bad at all.
2006-09-11 21:44:38 · answer #4 · answered by sindi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may go in the room with them, as long as you do not have a pacemaker. This might help the child relax knowing that mom or dad is there with them.
2006-09-11 21:44:30 · answer #5 · answered by mkb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try bribery, but it's a long period of time to be completely still (and noisy).
2006-09-11 21:38:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son was about that age ........they gave him a seditive
2006-09-11 21:43:03 · answer #7 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋