MRI for 4 year-old: any advice?

[Blu]

DS has been referred for an MRI scan, as his ankle and foot joints are not developing as the consultant expected, and she wants to see how they have grown since she operated when he was a year-old. (he has a range of one-off arrangemnts in his foot and leg bones).

We have been told it will be 'under sedation' - does that mean he is conscious? We have a hospital date, and have been told to keep him off food - so is that for a GA?

Hi Blu
When my ds was 2 he had a MRI scan and they gave him oral medicine to knock him out.
They gave him two lots which just put him to sleep (not in the same way as a general) after the scan he was just let to come round. I would say it was more like a deep sleep.
Don't know if this helps.

Thanks heavenis - that's really helpful.

I'll just run through what happen to us when we had the scan it was 4yrs ago so somethings may have changed.

Arrived at childrens department did the weight, height.
Then one of the childrens play nurses came to see us and showed us with a doll and model of MRI machine what would happen.
He was then given one lot of medicine and left to play for an hour or so.
He was then given a second lot of medicine and about 15mins after that he just went to sleep on my lap.
We then transfered to the MRI place,one parent was allowed to go in.They place them on the bed. You have to wear ear plugs and it is very loud.They are then put into the scanner the lights are turn off.
It can take a while for the scan to be completed.
When they have looked at all they need to the light will be put back on and you transfer back to where you started.
Your DS will wake up just as if he's had a nice sleep.

Not sure how to do links but a couple of months ago I did a thread about CT and MRI scans. Someone linked me to the institute of child health and Great Ormand Street websites which had some animation which was great for explaining what was going to happen to my four year old. So far he has only had the CT scan for which he had no sedation but a recent letter from his consultant said he would need a GA for an MRI