Brain Scan for a 3 year old. What should I do ???

[michymama]

Hi, my son has been seeing a neuro doc who wants him to have a brain scan. My son is 3 and doc is 99% convinced he suffered mild brain damage at birth which has affected his motory skills. Before he has the scan he needs to have various tests ie heart tests, blood tests as they will have to out him to sleep. Has anyone got any advice they can give me ?? How can I prepare my son for this ? Shold I explain to him what will happen ??
Thanks !!

Explain that he'll be put to sleep: take a teddy, lie him flat, teddy is asleep, teddy wakes up.

I've no direct experience I'm sorry, but my dd has had plenty of hospital treatments, stays and appointments and we've always explained to her what will happen and played at being doctors at home using the sort of words and pretend tests she might have and she has always coped very well. Hope all goes well.

If he's anything like my DS he'll be interested in the hospital machinery - so you could make it into something fun and exciting, eg you will be going to see the big machines that will take some special pictures, while he has a cosy sleep etc. - and you will take him for a treat afterwards, so if he is scared or unsure you can remind him about the treat to distract him.

Hi, you might want to post on Special Needs also as lots of people there have experience of this.
My son has Cerebral Palsy and had an MRI scan 15 months to confirm this. It was under general anasthetic as they have to be very still. Some places offer sedation instead, it would be worth finding out what he will have. As he will be out cold I would suggest talking though what will happen at the hospital before and after the test and that they will be taking a picture of his head. If he's the type of boy who want to know everything, as my son is, you could show him a picture of an MRI machine or something, just make sure you don't scare him with it as he'll most likely have no recollection of it!
Hope this helps

sorry, hadn't read your post properly! Most children's wards are very good at talking things through with the children but I would make sure that you have been through the basics with him first. They put anasthetic cream on the skin before taking the blood etc and it can help if the child knows not to take the plaster off and smear it on his lips!!!

My 2 year old had a brain scan a couple of months ago. We explained it very loosely. When they came to sedate her she totally panicked and was screaming and trying to get to me, which was really awful. I think it's a good idea to let him understand that nothing bad will happen - we had a leaflet for explaining it to children, all about 'magic air' etc - but our dd was just a bit too young to understand all that so just became very frightened. When she came round she was very shaky and confused - and very thirsty. I'd take some favourite drink and snacks that could be comforting for afterwards too.

My 3 yr old has had 2 MRI's this year, both with light anaesthetic (at The Evalina), one when he was 2.8 one 3 and 1 day!

The first time we were day case, no other tests. 2nd we went in Mon, had a load of non invasive tests - heart ultrasounds, chest Xrays etc stayed overnight and then had MRI 9.30am tuesday.

Some honest advice coming up....

INSIST (oh yes in CAPS) that they come and get you BEFORE he is brought round, you will not be able to enter the room until they have taken his throat tube out but you need to be on hand in that split second after - learnt this too my cost on #1 as they didn't come and get me 'till he'd been awake for 15 mins took me 45 to get him to stop screaming. I threatened to sit on the floor outside the door this time and they took me very seriously! Were very dilligent in getting me in time for #2.

I would rather go for the gas everytime, so much less stress (imho) if they put all the needles in AFTER they have knocked them out. DS just lay in my arms watching Bob the Builder DVD and the anaesthatist put the tube through her fingers and held her hand near his mouth (note to you, don't breathe too deeply at this point)off he drifted and that was all he knew - although it can make them struggle a little, but didn't happen either time.

If it is only a brain MRI he will probably only be out for 50 mins.

Befriend all the nurses, get them to work with you, explain your fears (out of earshot)- I even called them up beforehand to ask questions.

If you need any info, do not hesitate to ask, I know how worringing it can be.

Oh thank you all so much, your advice is all great. I'm actually in Sicily so things are a bit differebt here but I am going to call them and get them to explain the procedure before hand. Its a private clinic so hopefully not too busy. The tests before hand though are going to be done at our local hospital which I HATE !!!! I had my DD there and they were horrible. I'm not gonna take any crap from them though and will inisist they explain things to me, take things clamly etc etc. I'll find out what type of anesthetic they will be using so we can be prepared.
Need to make a list now, thank you all again so much, will let u know how we get on !
love

I have seen a book at library, a childrens book about going in to hospital but cant remember what it called. I hope everything go ok