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MRI scan on a 6 month old baby

6 replies

AnaGon · 19/10/2016 10:57

Hi, anyone who had successfully had an MRI on an infant without sedation? I want to avoid sedation if at all possible so I changed our routine so he sleeps at exactly our appointment time. He's teething as well, but he pukes if he's still full, so still experimenting for the right time to give him that.
Worried the noise will wake him though.
Any advice for a worried mum? the hillingdon hospital leaflet is not reaaly helpful as it's not meant for infants/

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Lifeisontheup2 · 19/10/2016 15:06

I think you will struggle without sedation as they may not keep still even if asleep and they are very noisy. My DS had a CT scan at 6 weeks old and had to have sedation for that.

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Piehunter · 19/10/2016 15:10

Mri scans are loud, the room is cold, he'd have to have headphones on and depending on what part of him the scan is for he may need a cage type thing round his head. The minimum I've been in an Mri for is 20 minutes, up to 45. Sometimes you need an IV in for contrast solution to be injected also... I wouldn't have thought they'd even consider it without sedation, sorry.

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SandunesAndRainclouds · 19/10/2016 15:10

My daughter is much older, and had to have a general anaesthetic to have an MRI. It is necessary to stay absolutely still while being done, and this doesn't happen in sleep. Also, they're very very noisy! My MIL fell asleep in a scanner but there's no way I could have. I would opt for sedation and deal with changes in routines / feeds.

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venys · 19/10/2016 15:16

I tried with my son about that age for a premature baby study. Like you tried to time it with sleeps but it didn't work. Strangely enough we had to have one for medical reasons a year later and had to concede on the anaesthetic.

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Duckyneedsaclean · 19/10/2016 15:21

It is really really loud, and takes quite a while. You've no chance of them staying asleep / still for it, I'm afraid.

Ds has had 2 MRIs under GA, first he was 11 months I think. He recovered very quickly.

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AnaGon · 19/10/2016 19:53

oh no! i'm going to give it my best shot though. who knows I might get lucky? but yes, i watch him sleep and even in deep sleep, he moves.
headphones? he absolutely hates having anything round his head!
paediatrician says the younger they are the better the chances he can go through without sedation. he's already 6 months.
thank you for sharing your experiences, much appreciated!