Pediatric Radiology

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 get a VCUG

A VCUG, or Voiding Cysto-Urethrogram, is a video X-ray of the inside of the body. The video helps doctors see how well the bladder and kidneys are working when your child goes pee. The bladder holds pee, and the kidneys are tiny filters that help cleanse the body.

Medical procedures may cause anxiety for you and your child. The information below provides a guide to help you and your child understand what to expect and how to prepare before, during, and after the procedure.

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 VCUG.

2 to 3 years old

Tell your child immediately before the visit.

"The doctor is going to take pictures of your body. They will put a small tube where the pee comes out. Then they’ll take a picture.”

4 to 9 years old

Start the conversation a day or two before the visit.

"The doctor is going to take pictures of your body. They will put a small tube where the pee comes out. They’ll try to make you as comfortable as possible.”

10+ years old

Talk with your child days before their VCUG.

“The doctor is going to take pictures of your body. They will put a small tube where the pee comes out. They’ll try to make you as comfortable as possible. I’ll be there to help you feel safe.”

Explain the VCUG process in three easy steps:

1. Change into your gown and lie down on your back.
2. A small tube will be placed in the area where pee comes out. Water will go through the tube into your bladder.
3. Your doctor takes a picture of the inside of your body. The doctor will ask you to pee and you will feel the tube slide out.

Bring the essentials

• Dress your child comfortably.
• Offer activities to distract your child.
• Bring a comfort item (e.g. stuffed animal or blanket).

Set your child up for success

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

• 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:
  “The tube might feel uncomfortable.”
• Acknowledge the lack of privacy:
  “You don’t know these people, but they are part of our team. They do this every day and are working to help you feel better.”
• Reassure your child:
  “I know you feel shy and maybe embarrassed. I will be right here and keep you safe.”

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 get a contrast enema

A contrast enema is a type of X-ray that takes pictures of the inside of your body. A liquid, called “contrast,” helps your doctors see how well your intestines are working. Your large and small intestines are the parts of your body that help absorb and digest food.

Medical procedures may cause anxiety for you and your child. The information below will help you understand what to expect and how to support your child during the procedure.

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 your child’s contrast enema.

2 to 3 years old

Tell your child immediately before the visit.

“Your doctor is going to help you feel better by getting rid of the poop stuck in your belly.”

4 to 9 years old

Start the conversation a day or two before the visit.

“To help your belly feel better, the doctor will place a small tube in the area where poop comes out. They will take pictures using an X-ray machine and then take the tube out.”

10+ years old

Talk with your child a few days before their contrast enema.

“To help your belly feel better, the doctor will place a small tube in the area where poop comes out, take X-ray pictures, and then remove the tube. Do you have any questions?”

Explain a contrast enema in three easy steps

Change into your gown and lie down. Your technologist will tell you how to position your body.

A small tube will be placed in the area where poop comes out. Contrast will flow through the tube into your large intestine.

Your doctor takes pictures of the inside of your body. When the pictures are done, you will feel the tube slide out, and it will be time to go to the bathroom.

H3: Bring the essentials

• Dress your child comfortably.
• Offer activities to distract your child.
• Bring a favorite comfort item (e.g., stuffed animal or blanket).

Set your child up for success

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

• Squeeze a Stress Ball
• Listen to a Song
• Take Deep Breaths
• Squeeze a Stuffed Animal
• Look at a Picture Book
• Listen to Guided Imagery

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.

Realistic expectations

Contrast enemas can be overwhelming and scary. Your child may feel uncomfortable when the tube is being placed. Remind your child to relax their muscles. Some kids may feel a temperature difference from the contrast or the urge to poop.

Deep breaths

Encourage your child to take slow, deep breaths. Remind your child that their most important job is to hold the contrast in their body until it’s time to go to the bathroom.

Be calm and supportive

Children often look to their caregivers during times of stress. We’ve provided suggestions for support here:

• Be truthful about the sensations they may experience:
  “The tube might feel uncomfortable.”
• Redirect your child’s attention.
  When your child expresses the need to poop, play iSpy or take deep breaths together.
• Provide support:
  “I know you’re uncomfortable. It will eventually be done. I’m here and you’re safe.”

Acknowledge your child’s accomplishment

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