Welcome to the MRI Radiology Try It Child Life Program!

At Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, we have a special program that gives children the chance to have an MRI without needing medicine to help them relax or sleep. It’s a great way for some children to stay awake and still get the test done.

The MRI Radiology Try It Child Life Program is available at CHOP locations in Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Abington and Virtua.

What is an MRI?

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It’s a procedure that takes detailed 3D pictures of the inside of your body using magnets, sound waves and a computer. Unlike X-rays, MRIs do not use radiation.

How does an MRI work?

During an MRI, your child will lie down on a table. The MRI machine looks like a small, doughnut-shaped tunnel, and the exam table moves through the opening of the tunnel, taking pictures as it goes. As the machine takes pictures, your child has to stay very still. It can take a little while, but the pictures will help the doctors learn more about how your body is working. The procedure is safe and does not hurt, although the machine can be very noisy. 

Why try an MRI without medicine?

Because this test requires your child to lie still and quiet for an extended period of time, we have found it helpful to prepare them for the procedure. Some kids feel nervous about being asleep during the MRI, so our Radiology Try It Child Life Program helps them stay awake and still during the test. They can try it out if they feel comfortable. Our team will help your kids feel calm and safe.

What are the benefits of the MRI Radiology Try It Child Life Program?

Completing the MRI without sedation/anesthesia can be treated as an accomplishment, allowing patients and their families to get back to their busy lives faster. This MRI program:

• Avoids unnecessary sedation or anesthesia
• Decreases wait time for the first available appointment
• Reduces the cost of the visit
• Allows your child to eat and drink before the appointment
• Creates less anxiety and fear about the procedure
• Allows your child to go home sooner 

Who can participate in the MRI Radiology Try It Child Life Program?

Many children can participate in the MRI Radiology Try It Child Life Program. It typically works best for kids who need an MRI that lasts less than 90 minutes.

Before the visit, parents and caregivers will have a phone call with one of our team members. The team member will ask questions to make sure the child is ready for an MRI. They will check to see if the child can: 

• Listen carefully and follow simple instructions
• Stay still for multiple short periods (3 to 4 minutes) during the MRI, which can take between 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of test

If you think your child might be ready for the MRI Radiology Try It Child Life Program, talk to your doctor to learn more.

How the MRI Radiology Try It Child Life Program works and what to expect

• We ask you to arrive 60 minutes before the MRI to ensure enough time for your child to learn about the process and get prepared.
• You and your child will be met by a Child Life Specialist (CLS) upon arrival. Based on your child’s needs, the following resources are available to help prepare your child:
  • MRI teaching
  • Photos depicting the sequence of events throughout the MRI experience
  • Simple audio clips of what the MRI will sound like
  • Demonstration and rehearsal with a mock MRI scanner
• Our child life specialist will teach your child coping skills and support them using age-appropriate encouragement and tools.
• The parent or caregiver adult will be checked by an MRI staff member to make sure it’s safe for them to go into the room. The caregiver will be required to complete a metal screening form and asked to change into a patient gown to ensure safety.
• Sometimes MRIs require a liquid called contrast, which is given through an IV. In those cases, we may use a topical numbing medicine to reduce the pain of the IV placement. Our child life specialist can provide IV teaching, demonstration, and/or procedural support during IV placement.
• Please inquire if your child’s study allows the option to watch a movie or listen to music during the procedure.
• Many kids in the MRI Radiology Try It Child Life Program complete their MRI without sedation or anesthesia. But if your child has trouble completing the scan while awake, that’s okay. We will simply schedule a scan with sedation or anesthesia for another day.

About our MRI Radiology Try It team

Our MRI Radiology Try It team has lots of experience helping kids during their MRI scans. The whole team works together to make sure your child’s MRI is a success!

• Child life specialists help children feel comfortable and safe. They know how to explain things in ways kids can understand. They use toys, videos, pictures and real medical equipment to show your child what will happen.
• MRI technologists are experts in taking pictures of your body using an MRI. They know how to use special tools for kids of all ages and make sure everything is safe and friendly. They help the MRI go smoothly.
• Radiology nurses care for children before, during and after the MRI. They make sure kids are feeling okay and explain everything clearly.

Learn more

If you’re interested or want more information, contact us at radiologychildlife@chop.edu.