Is an MRI Safe for Infants and Children?

Is an MRI Safe for Infants and Children?  

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology has become one of the common diagnostic tools among populations. It’s used in both adults and children to obtain a precise diagnosis of various health conditions. Some people worry about its safety, especially when used on children. The good news is that MRI is safe for infants and children. Here is everything you need to know.

What Is MRI

The key step in understanding the safety of MRI scans on children and infants is understanding how it functions. It is an advanced diagnostic technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body. MRI scans are painless and non-invasive, meaning there is no risk of radiation exposure during the procedure. Furthermore, MRI technology has evolved to make it safer for patients of all ages.

MRI technology allows doctors to generate high-resolution images of organs, soft tissue, bone, and even specific chemicals within the body. The information can be used to diagnose a variety of diseases or disorders. For example, an MRI scan can help detect brain tumors or cysts; determine if there are any issues with your heart valves or vessels. A knee MRI can evaluate joint injuries such as torn ligaments and cartilage damage.

Safety of MRI Scans

When performing MRI scans on infants and children, medical practitioners take precautions to ensure that the child is safe throughout the entire process. The safety procedures for MRI scans on infants or children make them safe.

All staff who come in contact with the child must undergo background checks and training for the job. This would reduce the risk of accidents during the process, thus keeping the child safe.

The medical practitioners ensure to sterilize the room and every piece of equipment involved in the procedure. The procedure reduces the chances of contamination that could expose the infant to other medical conditions.

During the MRI scan process, doctors aim for clear images, which are best achieved in a still patient. The children must be properly restrained in the MRI machine, so they don’t move around during the scan. If it’s an infant, they wrap them well with a shawl. It also prevents the child from touching any of the machine’s buttons or controls since this could activate something by accident and cause harm.

MRI scans use a powerful magnet to produce images, which can be dangerous if not properly shielded. When performing an MRI scan on a child, doctors ensure that they are within the safety limits outlined by the state or local government and other medical professionals who may have more experience with this procedure.

Some children may have pacemakers or other medical devices implanted under their skin near their hearts or brain. In such a scenario, the medical practitioners advise the best action to keep the child safe.

Available Alternatives

The available alternatives to the MRI include computed tomography (CT) scans, X-rays, and ultrasounds. Each of these methods has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, CT scans are quick and easy to perform but cannot generate high-resolution images as MRI scans can.

An ultrasound provides a better view of soft tissue than an MRI scan but does not provide as much detail as a CT scan. Therefore, MRIS remains the best option for getting a clear picture of the diagnosed body structure.

Medication During MRI

Doctors might offer your child medication to facilitate the MRI scan process. Some of these medications help produce a clearer image and might only sometimes be necessary. However, in the case of administration, the doctors advise you about possible side effects. In most cases, the side effects include nausea and stomachache, which only lasts for a short period.

The doctor might also give the children a mild sedative to keep them calm during the procedure. The sedative is usually given as an injection and may cause drowsiness in your child. However, the symptoms clear shortly after the procedure.

Risks Involved

MRI scans have no negative effects on your child. The MRIs are painless and don’t use any contrast dyes or radiation. The machine does not touch the child during the process. The aspect aids in keeping the child still to capture clear images. The machine’s design keeps children and infants safe. The MRI technician will guide you through the process and help keep your child calm.

The only risk involved is when the child has a metallic object in their body, such as a pacemaker. However, the medical practitioners thoroughly check to ensure the child has no metallic items in the body. The magnetic field produced in the process can significantly impact the metallic object’s functioning. In the case of a pacemaker, the damage could be devastating.

An MRI scan is safe for infants as long as they are properly sedated and positioned in the scanner. MRI scans are a safe alternative to CT scans in infants because they do not expose them to radiation. Medical practitioners take the necessary precautions to facilitate your child’s safety throughout the process. Hence, you don’t have to worry about any negative impacts on your child during the MRI scan process.