Anybody have experience with a toddler needing an MRI?

Question

My 15 months old daughter needs to have an MRI soon. Can somebody please tell me how long the procedure will last and what kind of sedative they give kids and how long those take to wear off. Will they strap her down to be still? Will this be an all day event or should we expect to be done within an hour or so?

Answer 1

Our daughter did at about 14/15 months old. Basically they put the child completely under (I think they used gas and an IV) and do the scan. I don't know if they strap them down. I would assume so since they have to leave them unattended on the scanner and since your daughter is so small, it's probably protocol just to be safe.

All in all, from the time they start to the time the child has come to, it takes about an hour... and with our daughter they kept her for about an hour after so she could wake up a little.

She was SOOOO thirsty/hungry after because they can't eat, so that's probably the one downside. After hers, they gave her a bottle of apple juice and I think she drank two in about 10 minutes...

Your daughter will probably thrash around pretty wildly after waking up from the MRI. Something about the meds they give them makes them pretty out of it and act pretty crazy. It was hard because I wanted to just pick her up but couldn't.

HOWEVER, having it done is definately worth it. If something is wrong, they need to find out. Fortunately our daughter was fine... good luck and I hope all goes well with your daughter.

Answer 2

My son had one around 20 months.

She won't be able to eat before the appt, so make sure to ask for the first appt of the day (ours was 7am). They will probably give her some gas to make her sleepy, then give her the iv for the sedative. Otherwise, she'll have to be held down to put in the iv and that's not fun.

My son woke up about 30 min. after the procedure. He was a little groggy and took a long nap that day, but he was also extra tired from getting up early to get there.

The whole thing took about 2 1/2 hours. The rest of the day we took it easy, too.

Answer 3

My son had to have an MRI and they sedated him.  The test took about 20min and he woke up about 15 min later.  After he woke up we had to stay for another hour so the nurses could make sure he was ok.  They did not strap him down because he was sedated.  I would plan for at least an half  a day if not a full day.  It really depends on if they are backed up or not.  If they don't sedate her it shouldn't take as long.

Answer 4

I had one when I was younger and with her being so young I would think she would be sedated. I know when they sedated my son he was awake and okay after an hour. I think she will be fine. I would plan for a whole day or maybe just half a day. Good luck and I think everything is okay.

Answer 5

My daughter had a MRI when she was 13 months old.  She was sedated with Versed & Propofol.  She was drowsy until pretty much the next day.  I'm not sure if she was strapped down, as we were not allowed to be in the room with her.  We were at the hospital for over 2 hours.  It took awhile to get her on the IV and everything.  Then the MRI itself took about 30 minutes longer than they said it would.  Then we had to wait for her to wake up from the sedation & eat and drink.  So I think it kind of varies with each child & the reasons for the MRI.  My daughter had one because she was having unexplained seizures.

Answer 6

My daughter is 4 and she has an MRI scheduled for next thursday.  I have asked every question imaginable.  My daughter is going to a childrens hospital and they said we will be able to be with her at all times.  I also found this form that explained all about the procedure on thier website.     http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/GD/Do...  

Hope this helps... I know how you feel, I'm very nervous too.  Also my best friend had her son do an MRI at just a few months old and she said its very loud but its not as bad as she imagined.