If you’re a parent of a baby or child with a health condition, then you’ve probably had to have a lot of tests done. Maybe your child has been diagnosed with Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis. Or maybe the child was born prematurely and had some complications. In any case, you’ll be glad to learn that CT scans are often used as part of the diagnosis process for children’s conditions such as these. They can also help determine how healthy your baby is in utero during pregnancy—which is why they’re one of the most common noninvasive prenatal diagnostic tests performed on expectant mothers-to-be!
First, the infant is placed on the CT scanning table.
- First, the infant is placed on the CT scanning table.
- The table should be adjusted to be at a comfortable height for the baby.
- The table should also be stable and secure.
- Place your child on their back with their arms by their sides or crossed over their chest (if they’re old enough to do so). If your child is too small for this step, use a smaller CT scanning table instead of forcing them onto an adult-sized one that could cause injury or discomfort.
Why are MRI scans more difficult to perform on infants than CT scans?
MRIs can be more difficult to perform on infants than CT scans because of the following:
- The baby must be completely still during the procedure.
- The baby cannot hold their breath for long periods of time, as they are not used to breathing through a tube.
- The infant will not tolerate lying on their back for an extended period of time; this position is often necessary for an MRI scan but too uncomfortable for many newborns.
How long does a CT scan take for infants?
The duration of a CT scan for infants depends on the age and size of the baby. Most CT scans are done in less than 10 minutes, so your child will not be in any pain. Anesthesia is not needed for CT scans because they are painless.
What is the cost of a CT scan for a baby?
- CT scan: $300 to $600
- MRI: $700 to $1,000
- Ultrasound: $200 to $700
Though we may think of ultrasounds as completely free, they actually come at a cost. In fact, an ultrasound costs anywhere from $200-700 (in the case of a fetal echocardiogram). Without insurance coverage for prenatal care and treatment, expect at least one ultrasound during your pregnancy. In some cases an ultrasound can be covered by health insurance if it’s medically necessary – but not always.
- X-ray: Free for those with Medicare and Medicaid; depends on the facility and type of x ray needed
- Blood tests: Free for those with Medicare or Medicaid; depends on what tests need to be done and where they’re administered
If you have questions about how a CT scan works, what it entails, and how much it costs, talk to your doctor or radiologist. You can also get information about additional resources for help paying for your child’s medical care.
If you have questions about how a CT scan works, what it entails, and how much it costs, talk to your doctor or radiologist. You can also get information about additional resources for help paying for your child’s medical care.
CT scans are a type of x-ray that takes multiple images of the body from different angles. They’re used to diagnose and treat many conditions affecting fetuses, infants, children and adults.
CT scans can be a safe and effective imaging test for babies
Is Ct Scan Harmful For Baby
If the abdomen or pelvis is not being imaged, such as in chest or head CT, there is no risk to the baby from radiation.
The amount of radiation used in normal CT imaging has never been shown to cause harm to an unborn child. However, if the CT scan examines the abdomen or pelvis area, then there may be a very slight risk to the baby. An unborn baby exposed to CT during pregnancy may have about a one in 1,000 greater chance of developing a cancer as a child. The level of risk is not proven though, and may be nonexistent. The radiologist (a doctor with expertise in medical imaging) and the CT technologist will adjust the CT exam techniques to lower the radiation dose to your baby if they know you are pregnant.
You should not refuse a CT exam necessary for diagnosing your potentially serious or urgent illness because of fear of radiation. The most important factor in having a healthy baby is ensuring a healthy mother, because the baby depends on the mother to stay well and carry her pregnancy to term.
The goal is to take care of the mother, who has a much greater chance of developing a serious illness, such as appendicitis.
Contrast material
For some CT exams, contrast material may need to be injected intravenously into an arm vein.
Contrast material does cross the placenta to your baby. It has been used in pregnancy for decades without harm. Use of contrast material has not been shown to harm.
Conclusion
That’s all we have for you today! We hope this article has answered some of your questions about CT scans and their uses. If you have more questions or want more information, please visit our website at www.greatplacetoworkat.com or call us at (555) 555-5555.