Pediatric Neurology

Helping your child understand an MRI

An MRI is a safe, painless scan that takes detailed pictures of your child’s body. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, which means taking pictures of the inside of the body.

An MRI scanner is a large camera shaped like a donut. When the scanner takes pictures, you may hear loud spinning noises, but the camera does not touch your child.

This guide explains what to expect and how to help your child feel comfortable and supported.

Talking to your child about the scan

2 to 3 years old

Due to your child’s age, they are likely to be sedated during the scan. Tell your child immediately before the visit.

“Today the doctor is going to take pictures of your body. The doctor will give you medicine through a mask to help you fall asleep.”

4 to 9 years old

Start the conversation a day or two before the visit.

“The doctor is going to take pictures of the inside of your body using an MRI scanner. The scanner won’t touch you, but it will make loud spinning noises. During your MRI, do you want to take deep breaths or listen to music?”

10+ years old

Talk to your child days before their MRI.

“The doctor is going to take pictures of the inside of your body using an MRI scanner. The scanner won’t touch you, but it will make loud spinning noises. What do you want to bring to the appointment? Do you have any questions?”

Explain a MRI in three easy steps

1. Lie on your back and fasten your seatbelt. The table moves into the scanner that is shaped like a donut.
2. The MRI scanner makes a loud spinning noise. Hold still while your picture is taken.
3. The table moves out of the scanner. Take off your seat belt and sit up.

Bring the essentials

• Offer activities to distract your child while you wait for the scan (e.g., books or puzzles).
• Bring a comfort item (e.g., stuffed animal or blanket).
• Pack items to provide distractions during the scan, if allowed (e.g., earplugs or headphones).

Set your child up for success

Kids benefit from having choices. Here are some of our favorite ways to help kids during their MRI:

• Squeeze a stress ball
• Listen to music
• Take deep breaths
• Squeeze a stuffed animal
• Hum a song
• Imagine your favorite place

Additional things your child may experience

Talk to the medical team about what else your child may experience during their MRI.

IV placement & contrast

Prior to your child’s MRI, they may receive an IV or contrast. An IV is a small, soft tube placed inside a vein in your child’s hand or arm. If your child needs contrast, they will either receive it through their IV or be asked to drink from a cup.

Sedation

Your child may receive sedation to help them relax and remain still. It’s safe and allows the necessary procedure to be done comfortably. It is important to discuss with your provider what type of sedation and what to expect.

Positioning devices

Your child’s medical team may place an MRI helmet or coil on your child to help the MRI scanner take clear pictures of your child’s body.

Supportive language

It may be helpful to tell your child that the MRI scanner will make loud spinning noises, but nothing will touch them. Remind your child that their most important job is to stay still.

Be calm and supportive

Children often look to their caregivers during times of stress.

Be truthful about the sensations:

“You will hear a loud noise.”

Remind your child to remain still while in the scanner. This will allow the doctors to get better pictures and for the scan to be over sooner.

Crying is a normal reaction. Try redirecting your child’s attention:

“It’s ok to cry. Let’s take a deep breath together.”

Acknowledge your child’s accomplishment

Celebrate your child’s effort with a kind word or small treat after the scan. Point out something they did well and ask them how they think it went.

Helping your child understand a CT scan

A CT scan uses X-rays to take detailed pictures of the inside of the body, helping doctors diagnose injuries, infections, or illnesses. CT stands for computed axial tomography, which means taking pictures of the inside of the body.

A CT scanner is a large camera shaped like a donut. When the scanner takes pictures, you may hear spinning noises, but the camera does not touch your child.

This guide explains what to expect, how to prepare, and how to support your child during the scan.

Talking to your child about the scan

You know better than anyone how and when to set your child up for success! We’ve provided some guidance around when it is best to discuss your upcoming appointment along with age-appropriate language.

2 to 3 years old

Consider telling your child immediately before the visit.

“Today the doctor is going to take pictures of your body with a camera that is shaped like a big donut.”

4 to 9 years old

Start the conversation a day or two before the visit.

“The doctor is going to take pictures of the inside of your body using a CT scanner. The scanner won’t touch you. During the scan, do you want to take deep breaths, or listen to music?”

10+ years old

Days before, talk to your child about their CT scan.

“The doctor is going to take pictures of the inside of your body using a CT scanner. The scanner won’t touch you. What do you want to bring to the appointment? Do you have any questions?”

Explain the CT scan in three easy steps

1. Lie on your back and fasten your seatbelt. The table moves into the scanner that is shaped like a donut.
2. The CT scanner makes a spinning noise. Hold still while your picture is taken.
3. The table moves out of the scanner. Take off your seat belt and sit up.

If your child is having a CT simulation

A CT simulation (CT sim) helps the care team prepare for radiation treatment. During this appointment, the team may:

• Position your child carefully using pillows, wedges, or supports
• Use a mask or mouth guard to help them stay still
• Place small marks or stickers on the skin
• Create tiny freckle-sized marks (sometimes called radiation tattoos) to help align the body during future treatments

These steps help ensure radiation therapy is delivered safely and accurately.

Bring the essentials

• Offer activities to distract your child while you wait for the scan (e.g., games or puzzles).
• Bring a comfort item (e.g., stuffed animal or blanket).
• Pack items to provide distraction during the scan, if allowed (e.g., earplugs or headphones).

Set your child up for success

Kids benefit from having choices. Here are some of our favorite ways to help kids during their CT scan:

• Squeeze a stress ball
• Listen to music
• Take deep breaths
• Squeeze a stuffed animal
• Hum a song
• Count down from 100

Be calm and supportive

Children often look to their caregivers during times of stress.

Be truthful about the sensations they may experience:

“You will hear a noise as the camera spins around you.”

Remind your child that the camera won’t touch their body.

Your presence can be comforting. Ask the team if you can accompany your child to the procedure room.

Acknowledge your child’s accomplishment

Be sure to celebrate your child’s bravery and talk about one specific thing they did well. Ask your child how they think it went

Helping your child understand an EEG

An EEG, or electroencephalogram, is a test that records the electrical activity of the brain. Small sensors, called electrodes, are placed on your child’s scalp. These sensors do not hurt and do not give off electricity—they only record information.

This guide explains what to expect, how to prepare, and how to support your child before, during, and after the procedure.

Explain the CT scan in three easy steps

1. Small sensors are gently placed on your child’s head using a special paste.
2. Your child lies still while the brain activity is recorded.
3. The sensors are removed when the test is finished.

Talking to your child about the EEG

You know better than anyone how and when to set your child up for success! We’ve provided some guidance around when it is best to discuss your upcoming appointment along with age-appropriate language.

You know better than anyone how and when to set your child up for success! Below is guidance on when it may be helpful to talk about the EEG, along with age-appropriate language.

2 to 3 years old

Tell your child immediately before the appointment.

“Today the doctor is going to put special stickers on your head to see how your brain works.”

4 to 9 years old

Start the conversation a day or two before the appointment.

“The doctor is going to put small stickers on your head to see how your brain works. It won’t hurt, and you’ll get to relax while they do it.”

10+ years old

Days before, talk to your child about their EEG.

“The doctor is going to place small sensors on your head to record how your brain works. Do you have any questions or anything you want to bring with you?”

Bring the essentials

• Offer activities to distract your child while you wait for the scan (e.g., games or puzzles).
• Bring a comfort item (e.g., stuffed animal or blanket).
• Follow any instructions from your care team about hair washing or avoiding hair products before the EEG.

Set your child up for success

Kids benefit from having choices. Here are some of our favorite ways to help kids during an EEG:

• Sit next to you
• Listen to music
• Watch a show
• Read a book
• Take deep breaths
• Hold a comfort item
• Sit on your lap
• Wrap arms securely
• Offer comfort and presence

Be calm and supportive

Children often look to their caregivers during times of stress. Be calm and reassuring. Be honest about what your child may feel, such as the sensation of paste on their head, and remind them that the test does not hurt.

Acknowledge your child’s accomplishment

Be sure to celebrate your child’s bravery and talk about one specific thing they did well. Ask your child how they think it went

When to talk to your child

You know better than anyone how and when to set your child up for success! We’ve provided some guidance around when it is best to discuss an upcoming procedure.

2 to 3 years old

Tell your child immediately before the visit.

“Your doctor is going to touch your lower back and you’ll feel a poke and pressure. While this happens it’s important to stay still. Would you like to watch a movie?”

4 to 9 years old

Start the conversation a day or two before the visit.

“The doctor is going to insert a small needle into your lower back to collect fluid. You may feel a pinch and some pressure. Do you want to watch a movie or listen to a story that helps you relax?”

10+ years old

Days before, talk to your child getting a lumbar puncture.

“The doctor is going to insert a small needle into your lower back to collect some fluid. You may feel a pinch and some pressure. Do you want to download a new TV series or guided meditation?”

Describe a lumbar puncture

A lumbar puncture is a medical test to collect a small amount of fluid, called cerebrospinal fluid, that travels around your brain and spinal cord. It can also be called a “spinal tap” or an “LP.” Your doctor collects the fluid by inserting a small needle or catheter into your lower back.

Explain a lumbar puncture in three easy steps

1. Lie down on your side and curl up into a ball or sit on the edge of the bed and lean over your knees. Your doctor cleans your back with special soap.
2. Your doctor applies pressure to your back. You may feel a poke and a little sting. Your doctor covers your back with sterile towels.
3. Hold still while you feel some pressure in your back. Your doctor will remove the towels and apply a bandage. Once the procedure is finished, lie flat on your back.

Ask about comfort options

Talk to your medical team about the best plan of care for your child. A few options we like are numbing cream, a numbing patch, or an ice pack.

Set our child up for success

Kids benefit from having choices. Here are some of the options you can ask about to help your child during their lumbar puncture:

• Hold your hand
• Listen to a song
• Take deep breaths
• Squeeze a stuffed animal
• Look at a picture book
• Listen to a guided meditation

Create a safe and comforting experience

Your presence provides comfort to your child. Talk to the medical team about how you can work together to create a positive experience.

Below are some effective comfort and distraction measures to consider:

• Caregiver presence
  With an “OK” from your medical provider, you may be able to accompany your child to the procedure room.
• Medical equipment
  It may be helpful to tell your child that only some of the medical equipment they see will be used.
• Deep breaths
  Encourage your child to take slow, deep breaths. Remind your child that their most important job is to stay still.

Be calm and supportive

Children often look to their caregivers during times of stress.

Be truthful about the sensations they may experience:

 “You might feel a lot of pressure.”

Ask your doctor to count down before the procedure begins so your child knows when to expect the sensations of the poke and pressure.

Crying is a normal reaction. Try redirecting your child’s attention:

“It’s ok to cry. Let’s take a deep breath together.”

Acknowledge your child’s accomplishment

Be sure to celebrate your child’s bravery and talk about one specific thing they did well. Ask your child how they think it went.

Your child might have a concussion if they have any of the following symptoms following a head injury:

• Headache, dizziness, or confusion
• Nauseous or throwing up
• Trouble walking, talking, or focusing
• Light or noise sensitivity
• Confusion about what happened

Call your doctor or go to an emergency room near you if your child passes out, has slurred speech, vomits repeatedly, is confused, or can’t wake up easily. Once you arrive, a concussion screening will likely be done.

Tell your child the concussion screening helps check how their brain is working after their injury. Reassure them that the screening doesn’t hurt.

The doctor will ask questions about the injury and symptoms and may check your child’s balance, memory, and coordination. Encourage your child to describe all their symptoms.

If your child has a concussion, the doctor will likely recommend rest and avoiding screen time, sports, and activities that could cause another injury.

Your child will gradually be able to return to school and activities as symptoms improve.

Ask the doctor what your child can do to reduce the chances of another concussion.

At MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, we are a Level 3 Pediatric Epilepsy Center as designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. Whether your child has new-onset epilepsy or longstanding complex epilepsy, we will provide a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s unique clinical presentation.

To provide your child with the best care possible, we have a dedicated Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit to provide continuous video electroencephalogram (EEG) studies overnight and over multiple days to determine the best medical and surgical options to treat your child’s seizures. The unit is operated 24/7 by pediatric neurologists, pediatricians and nurses with epilepsy expertise. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive approach to optimizing your child’s quality of life and seizure control. 

Learn more about Our Pediatric Epilepsy Program

The Pediatric Aerodigestive Disorders Clinic is a collaborative program consisting of a multidisciplinary care team, including gastroenterology, pulmonology, otolaryngology, neurology, and therapies (speech and physical therapies) that provides and coordinate cares for patients that have complex medical needs including difficulties with breathing and swallowing.

We take a team approach when it comes to providing complete care for your child. A range of pediatric experts from multiple specialty clinics come together to care for the complex, and often related, neurological issues that can affect kids. Some examples of our multidisciplinary care coordination include working with our Pediatric Pulmonologists in their Sleep Disorders Clinic, and working with our pediatric Speech and Language Pathologists in their Autism Disorders Clinic.

The pediatric neurodevelopmental program provides regular follow-up services to children with developmental delay or born prematurely, including graduates of the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Our team includes a developmental pediatrician, clinical psychologist, and pediatric physical therapist. We evaluate children’s cognitive, language, motor, and socioemotional skills and provide written and verbal feedback and recommendations to families. In addition, our clinicians facilitate referrals to outside services as needed. Working closely with families and community providers, we work to ensure that all children are given the support they need to reach their full potential.