Clinical safety of 3-T brain magnetic resonance imaging in newborns
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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

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Published on: January 6, 2019
Monica Fumagalli1, Claudia Maria Cinnante2, Sonia Francesca Calloni3
1NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Background:
The effects and potential hazards of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 T in newborns are debated.
Objective:
Assess the impact of 3-T MRI in newborns on body temperature and physiological parameters.
Material And Methods:
Forty-nine newborns, born preterm and at term, underwent 3-T brain MRI at term-corrected age. Rectal and skin temperature, oxygen saturation and heart rate were recorded before, during and after the scan.
Results:
A statistically significant increase in skin temperature of 0.6 °C was observed at the end of the MRI scan (P<0.01). There was no significant changes in rectal temperature, heart rate or oxygen saturation.
Conclusion:
Core temperature, heart rate and oxygen saturation in newborns were not affected by 3-T brain MR scanning.
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