Getting Children Ready For an MRI

In order to get a MRI, the child must lay down and relax. To children it looks like a big tunnel, and it is extremely important that they lie very still. The more still they are the clearer the pictures will be. A simple technique we use is that we can tell the child to pretend to be frozen, or to be a rock so the pictures turn out clearer. It is definitely recommended that the child uses the bathroom before going to the MRI.  For children, it might be loud so they can be given headphones to block out noise. Also, at UCSF they can watch a movie or listen to music while getting an MRI.