Bring to your child’s exam:
- Medication list
- Insurance card
- History of previous surgical procedures
- Referral form from your physician
Exam preparations
You will be given more specific information about exam preparation from your physician or the schedulers when you make your child's radiology appointment.
Some exams require that your child fast before the exam or procedure. This is known as NPO (an acronym of the Latin, "nothing by mouth"). NPO means no fluids (including water) or food are allowed for a specified number of hours before the exam.
NPO guidelines must be followed for procedures requiring anesthesia or sedation and for certain procedures requiring an empty stomach for imaging. The requirements vary depending on the test and the age of the child. Refer to our NPO guidelines
(in both English and Spanish) for details.
Following are some general guidelines for exam preparation.
- Fluoroscopy
Esophagram, upper GI and small bowel
Follow the NPO guidelines for your child's age. Bring a drink that your child enjoys to the exam. Your child may be asked to drink this during or after the exam.
Tube injection or tube placement
If your child is fed intermittently or by bolus, skip one meal. If your child gets continuous feeds, discontinue nourishment for two to three hours.
Contract enema and VCUG
No prep is usually required.
IVP
No prep is usually required.
- Ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound and vascular ultrasound of the abdomen/pelvis
Follow the NPO guidelines for your child's age.
Renal/bladder and pelvic ultrasound
Bring your child to the exam with as full a bladder as possible.
Vascular, hip, spine, musculoskeletal, head, scrotal and thyroid
No prep is usually required.
- CT, MRI and nuclear medicine
Any CT exam with contrast
Follow the NPO guidelines for your child's age.
Gastric emptying/milk scan
Follow the NPO guidelines for your child's age.
All other CT, MRI and nuclear medicine exams
Specific preparations will be given when you schedule your child's appointment.
