Neurodiversity information for parents and young people
About an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
An MRI scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the human body.
It does not use radiation, so it is a safe way for doctors to examine organs, tissues and skeletal structures. It is also painless.
MRI scans are particularly useful for visualising soft tissues and organs, as well as the brain and spinal cord. This helps doctors to make a correct diagnosis of a wide range of conditions.
Preparing for your child’s MRI
Important information
Your child will need to be fasted (have nothing to eat or drink) before their scan. This is essential so that we can sedate your child (make them relaxed and sleepy).
Your child must not have:
- Food or milk (formula or cow’s milk) for 6 hours before their appointment time
- Breast milk for 4 hours before their appointment time
- Water for 2 hours before their appointment time.
If you do not follow these instructions, we will have to postpone the MRI scan and book you in for another appointment.
Our children's guide to MRIs
Children often benefit from knowing what will happen and being prepared.
We advise you to look at this MRI guide together with your child. It is the story of Billy the astronaut who has an MRI scan.
To see the guide, click on the blue arrow or use the QR code.
Our hospital Play Team can also help prepare your child. Speak to our nursing team when you arrive if you want to know more about how the Play Team can help.
What to bring
You may find it helpful to bring some toys and activities with you to the hospital. Your child can use them to play while waiting.
You can also download entertainment to your mobile before you arrive (remember to bring your phone charger).
It is a good idea to bring nappies, as well as your child’s favourite food and drink with you, so they can have this when they are fully awake after the scan.
Appointment durationFor most patients, it takes 1 to 2 hours from the time they arrive, to the start of the scan. The scan takes 30 to 60 minutes. Recovery time usually takes 1 to 6 hours after the scan, depending on how quickly your child wakes up. |
When you arrive
When you arrive on Dolphin ward, our Ward Clerk or nurse will register your child and show you both to a side room.
A nurse will take your child’s observations including their temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. They will check with you that your child is well enough to receive sedation (to send them to sleep). They will also measure and weigh your child.
We will run through our MRI checklist with you, to check that your child has no metal in their body which could interfere with the MRI images. (We will have sent you the MRI checklist in advance of your scan appointment).
Before the scan:
- Remove your child’s jewellery (if they wear any).
- Remove any metal from your child’s hair (hair clips, hair ties with metal on them, or babygrows/sleepsuits with poppers).
About sedation and the scan
About sedation
Sedation is a form of medication that makes your child calm, relaxed or sleepy. We give this medication either by mouth or via the nostrils (depending on the child’s age). It starts to work within 30 minutes. Sometimes we need to give a second dose.
Sedation is different from a general anaesthetic. Although sedation can make your child drowsy, they will still be conscious and respond when you touch them or speak to them.
We advise that patients of walking age remain in the bed, as sedation will make them sleepy and can also make them unsteady on their feet.
About the scan
Once your child is asleep, our nurses will attach them to a monitor to check their heart rate and oxygen levels. This monitoring will continue throughout the scan.
A nurse or doctor will go with you to the scan (your child will travel in a cot or bed). You can stay with your child during the scan.
One parent can be present in the MRI scan room, as long as they complete an MRI checklist and our MRI staff think it is safe for them to stay.
The scan takes 30 to 60 minutes.
After the scan, you and your child will go back to Dolphin ward, where your child will wake up.
After the scan
When your child gets back to Dolphin Ward, we will take another set of observations and your child will begin to wake up.
Your child can eat and drink only when they are fully awake.
We will need to check that your child has wee’d (passed urine) so we ask that you keep any wet nappies to show the nursing staff.
When your child is awake, alert and behaving normally, we can discharge them home.
Scan results
MRI results usually take 1 to 2 weeks.
If you have not heard from us after 2 weeks, contact the Paediatric Admin Team (see Contacts section below). They will follow up with your child’s consultant.
Contact information
Paediatric Admin Team
Telephone: