by Rachel Franklin
Child Life Specialist

In yesterday's post, I covered some of the basics of the CT scan. So, today I want to give some times on helping your child feel comfortable during the scan. The preparation can start with anticipating and neutralizing unfamiliar or possible worrisome elements of the CT scanning process:

Height and size of scanning camera: As the photo at the right shows, our CT camera is tall, round, and donut-shaped. Some children enjoy thinking about the scanner looking like a spaceship. Some enjoy thinking about going for a ride on the bed with a family member. Giving children a fun and positive perspective on the camera and upcoming process helps children anticipate the process with greater familiarity and pleasure. 

Possibility of pinches or pain?: Your child may need your reassurance that the process of being scanned will not involve anything that pinches, pokes, or induces pain. Sometimes, a pinky promise gives just the right amount of reassurance needed to get started. (If your order involves "contrast," see your child life specialist for more information and assistance with IV preparation, support, and placement.)

Movement of scanning bed and body moving "inside scanner": Our scanning bed will move slowly upward from low position on ground to its proper scanning height (approx. 5 feet above floor). Actual scanning occurs when the area being imaged enters the center of the camera. Some children prefer to first watch the bed move up and into the scanning camera to feel a sense of understanding and familiarity before transitioning into laying position on the scanning bed. Seeing our Dora or Diego doll or a familiar family member model laying still on our slowly moving scanning bed with a calm and relaxed or smiling affect may communicate to younger children that the process is safe, non-threatening, and pain-free.

Red lights: When entering the center of camera on the scanning bed, red lights shine on the bed to assist technicians in adjusting your child into proper position to result in best images possible. As some children want to know to expect this, you can give your child notice about the "laser light show." 

Separation from or brief loss of visual contact with caregiver: While transitioning inside the scanner in proper scanning position, some children may temporarily lose visual contact with the caregiver at bedside. Even as young infants' brain development allows them to better recognize and be comforted by familiar faces around them, temporary absence of that familiar face in an unfamiliar environment may be worrisome to your child. Older children may even experience an  increased sense of safety and security in a new place when knowing that their caregiver is nearby. If it helps your child and is appropriate for you, you may try leaning over our scanning bed to keep visual contact with your child or even laying with or sitting with your child throughout his scans.

Remaining still and in laying position throughout scans: For busy children, laying still and quiet may be quite a challenge! For example, we know that toddlers love moving and exploring their environments. Even when the level of invasiveness of a procedure is low, the experience of needing to remain still or being slightly restrained in a seated or laying position can be highly frustrating. Simulating familiar routines are helpful in assisting some children with laying still while remaining calm. For example, as younger children often are familiar with needing to remain in a still, laying position during diaper changes or storytime, simulating this process assists some active toddlers in successfully doing so throughout the duration of a few quick CT scans. "Getting pictures taken" with that familiar caregiver, Dora doll, or Diego doll may also be a fun motivator for your child.