Why are special accommodations necessary for pediatric patients during MRI?

Special accommodations are necessary for pediatric patients during MRI primarily because they often require sedation due to movement issues. Children, especially younger ones, may find it challenging to remain still for an extended period, which is crucial for obtaining high-quality images during an MRI. Movement can lead to artifacts on the images, making them difficult to interpret and potentially affecting the accuracy of the diagnosis. Sedation helps to minimize movement and ensures the patient is comfortable enough to cooperate throughout the procedure.

While children may have different MRI protocols than adults, this reason alone does not fully justify the special accommodations needed during the imaging process. Their ability to stay still is generally less than that of adults, and this is a central concern when preparing for the MRI. Therefore, the need for sedation is often a critical part of ensuring a successful MRI exam in pediatric cases.