Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
Published on: July 30, 2009
Brain MRI without anesthesia in children less than 3 months old
P Caro-Domínguez1, J J Sánchez-Garduño1, M Martínez-Moya1
1Unidad de Radiología Pediátrica, Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, España.
Insights
Brain MRI for infants under 3 months can be safely performed without general anesthesia using a feed and sleep technique. This method successfully imaged 89% of infants, avoiding anesthesia risks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Neuroimaging
- Infant Care
Background:
- General anesthesia in infants poses short- and long-term risks.
- Alternative methods for infant neuroimaging are needed to mitigate these risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of brain MRI without general anesthesia in infants under 3 months old.
- To assess the safety and success rate of a non-anesthetic immobilization technique.
Main Methods:
- A prospective case-control study involving infants under 3 months requiring brain MRI.
- Infants were fed to sleep and immobilized with a pillow; controls received general anesthesia.
- Three pediatric radiologists assessed MRI success, repeat necessity, and motion artifacts.
Main Results:
- 89% of brain MRIs in the non-anesthesia group were successful.
- Optimal MRI quality was achieved in 60% of cases, with no detected safety issues.
- This technique avoided general anesthesia for 47 infant MRI studies.
Conclusions:
- Brain MRI can be safely and effectively performed in infants under 3 months without general anesthesia.
- The feed and sleep technique with pillow immobilization is a viable alternative.
Introduction:
The use of general anesthesia in infants involves both short-term and long-term risks. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of brain MRI without anesthesia in infants younger than 3-month-old immobilized with a pillow.
Patients And Methods:
This prospective case-control study was done in 2019. Cases were stable patients less than 3 months old who did not require ventilatory support for whom brain MRI was indicated. Patients were fed so they would fall asleep and placed in the scanner with an immobilizing pillow. Controls were clinically unstable patients matched for age and sex referred for brain MRI under general anesthesia. Three pediatric radiologists evaluated the success of the MRI study (whether it answered the clinical question), recorded whether it was necessary to repeat the study, and rated the presence of motion artifacts on a scale ranging from 1 to 4.
Results:
A total of 47 cases were included (28 boys and 19 girls; mean age, 31 days). Of these, 42 (89%) MRI studies were considered successful. The proportion of successful MRI studies was lower in outpatients than in inpatients (p=0.02). The quality of MRI in cases was considered optimal in 60% and suboptimal (motion artifacts in one or two sequences) in 30%. No safety issues related with the technique were detected. The mean duration of the studies was 16.6minutes (range, 6-30minutes). All of the MRI studies in controls were considered successful; quality was considered optimal in 89% and suboptimal in 11%. In the first year in which we used this technique, we avoided the use of general anesthesia in 47 MRI studies in 42 newborns.
Conclusion:
Brain MRI using the feed and sleep technique in infants younger than 3-month-old immobilized with a pillow can be done safely and efficaciously without general anesthesia.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging